The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform says it plans to establish a communal land board for the Khomas Region, as part of its intentions to establish a communal land area in the region.
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein said board members have been appointed to promote fair and sustainable land allocation processes, complete land registration, accelerate the removal of illegal fences, ensure timely meetings, and resolve land matters promptly.
“I take pleasure in informing you today that you will soon be joined by members of the Khomas Regional Communal Land Board. We are in the process of establishing a communal area in the Khomas Region and hence the need for a Regional Communal Land Board,” he said.
Schlettwein welcomed 202 new members in total to their individual land boards. He further stated that each board is expected to create its strategic and annual plans, detailing specific planned outputs.
The plans should include quantified targets such as the number of illegal fences to be removed, the registration of existing customary land rights, and the resolution/adjudication of disputes.
“These plans must be aligned to the Ministerial Strategic Plan and Annual Plan. Communal Land Boards must not operate in a vacuum. Analyse the challenges your region is facing and develop an action plan for implementation,” he said.
He further emphasised that the boards must ensure the expedited processing of applications for approval.
Moreover, it was stressed that such allocations should primarily benefit the region, remain undisputed, and not adversely affect other stakeholders. The boards were reminded to consistently uphold compliance with the provisions of the Act.
“Communal land practices are based on the shared usage of commonly owned resources and therefore the protection of the commonage is at the core of your responsibilities,” Schlettwein said.
The establishment of Namibia’s land boards is outlined by the Communal Land Reform Act of 2002 (Act No.5 of 2002).
The Act states that the Minister is responsible for establishing Communal Land Boards to carry out the functions assigned to them by this Act within the designated areas. These boards will be set up for either a region, a portion of a region, or multiple regions.
There are currently 13 land boards in Namibia representing each region, except the Khomas Region.
