Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, today inaugurated the eight Communal Land Boards. Schlettwein explained that the Communal Boards are to promote fair and sustainable land allocation processes, finalize land registration, expedite the removal of illegal fences, convene timely meetings, and ensure land matters are resolved without any delays.
“I am delighted and honoured to be with you. Today marks another great milestone in the communal land administration processes, as I am fulfilling the provisions of the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002 (Act No. 5 of 2002) as amended. The term of the seventh Communal Land Boards ended on 29th February 2024. As a Minister responsible for the land sector, it is my statutory obligation in terms of section 7 of the said Act to ensure that the Communal Land Boards are established in all regions where communal land is found, and that I convene the first meeting of each Board. That is our purpose of being here today,” Schlettwein said.
The Land Reform Minister explained that after Namibia attained her independence in 1990, the Government of the Republic of Namibia realized the need to manage the land resource for fair and equal distribution.
“This need was preceded by the Government creating a Ministry responsible for Land Reform and subsequently enacting legislation to govern the communal land. It is a collective responsibility of each of us to ensure that the process to manage the land resource is always above board within the confines of the Communal Land Reform Act, Act No. 5 of 2002. Land administration matters are complex, and our course as the Government is to promote peaceful land administration processes that contribute to the sustainable development of our country. Over the years, the Government has realized that the process of land administration is a cumbersome process; hence, it felt it cannot be left to Government alone,” the Minister said.
He added that for this reason, various structures are established to foster smooth and transparent land administration. “Transparency and fair land allocations promote peace and security among our communities but, most importantly, it outlines the non-discriminatory procedures on how communal land can be accessed/allocated,” Schlettwein emphasized.
The Minister also added that his ministry has completed the most cumbersome, but very necessary processes of stakeholders’ consultation and legal drafting of the Land Bill, which has now been submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL) for consideration.
“Thereafter, the Bill will be tabled in Parliament for further consideration. The Bill suggests significant changes regarding the administration of communal land, of which once approved, will be for your consideration. It’s my belief that once the Land Bill is enacted into law, it will bring about improved communal land administration and ensure productivity,” Schlettwein said.
He urged members to familiarize themselves with the Land Bill as previous Communal Land Boards were dominated by Appeals lodged against decisions of the Communal Land Boards due to a lack of understanding of the Act.
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