Calle Schlettwein told lawmakers Monday that Namibia's land bill moves forward despite many hurdles. The agriculture minister described years of hard work since 2007 to create fair rules for who can buy land. His team asked people across the country what they wanted back in 2010. They talked with government departments, tribal leaders, farm groups, wildlife areas, and many local organizations.
The first draft went before parliament in 2017 just as plans started for a major national meeting about land rights. Schlettwein happily reported that ideas from this big meeting appear in the current version. Lawyers began writing the official text in 2020. After long talks with justice officials, the bill passed review by top government leaders.
Since becoming independent in 1990, Namibia struggled with land problems left from earlier times. Most farmland stayed in the hands of a small number of people. The new bill tries to fix this old unfair system through clear rules everyone must follow. The minister believes these changes will help more citizens access farm property.
The long creation process shows how complicated land issues remain in Namibia. Each step required approval from different groups with different interests. Even though it took many years, Schlettwein feels the final product addresses the main concerns citizens raised during community meetings. The bill should reach final voting stages soon after all these careful preparations.
The first draft went before parliament in 2017 just as plans started for a major national meeting about land rights. Schlettwein happily reported that ideas from this big meeting appear in the current version. Lawyers began writing the official text in 2020. After long talks with justice officials, the bill passed review by top government leaders.
Since becoming independent in 1990, Namibia struggled with land problems left from earlier times. Most farmland stayed in the hands of a small number of people. The new bill tries to fix this old unfair system through clear rules everyone must follow. The minister believes these changes will help more citizens access farm property.
The long creation process shows how complicated land issues remain in Namibia. Each step required approval from different groups with different interests. Even though it took many years, Schlettwein feels the final product addresses the main concerns citizens raised during community meetings. The bill should reach final voting stages soon after all these careful preparations.
