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MIB Bulletin March 2010 - Namibian Government
MIB Bulletin March 2010 - Namibian Government
Bulletin
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
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N amibia’s 20th independence
anniversary logo represents our
national unity in diversity, a vibrant
who stood with us through thick and thin. We
must endeavour to always remind ourselves of
these serious sacrifices and make that our pillar
and independence from the yoke of apartheid
colonialism.
nation forging ahead to achieving our of nurturing real internal peace and peace with Namibia’s 20th independence anniversary logo
national goals as contained in our five our neighbours and the world at large,” Angula consists of an oval shape depicting the Namibia
year National Development Plan 3 as well said. flag with the figure and words 20 years inserted
as in our Vision 2030. on the flag, pointing towards our 20 years as an
According to Angula the long and glorious independent nation. The jubilant figures on top
These were the words of Prime Minister Nahas journey of Namibia’s nationhood will continue of the oval symbolises our people, our stability
Angula when he launched Namibia’s 20th to be told to generation upon generation. This and our unity in diversity as a nation. With their
1
independence anniversary logo at the UN Plaza year, Namibia will turn twenty years since our hands raised above their heads, the figures
in Katutura on 17 February 2010. birth as a nation on 21st March 1990, when imply our bravery and victory as a nation. The
the flag of an independent Namibian nation figures also symbolises a crown that is pointing
At the launch of the logo, the Prime Minister was hoisted for the first time and the flag that to our success as a nation, while the heads of
said that is was very important for Namibia represented the illegal authority of apartheid the figurines depict our diamonds.
to celebrate the strides we have made in the South African regime over our country was
last twenty years. “We make deep reflections brought down forever. The slogan for our 20th anniversary as a nation
and continue to take stock of where we come is – a visionary nation on the move towards 2030
from, where we are now and where we are On 21st March 2010, the nation will gather – implying that we are working as a nation to
going and how. We must always express our at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek realise our dream of becoming an industrialised
very sincere and heartfelt appreciation to those for the twentieth anniversary of our freedom and knowledge-based society by 2030.
IN ThIs Issue
Trust and confidence grew over 20 years: Prime Minister Continues from page 4
they noticed something wrong, they went to Many believed that the incoming government poverty reproducing itself. The intellectual
the press. We would then pick up on it and would dismiss and replace the old guard. This development of a child who is malnourished
launch an investigation. did not happen. Those who worked for the is influenced, and they can’t benefit from
colonial authority still continued to work for the education they are offered. In this way
“The process of integration went smoothly the Government of an independent Namibia. poverty reproduces itself.
with the exception of an incident at the Some embraced the new policies and the new
Windhoek Technical High School, where a government, some left of their own accord. “Unemployment further aggravates inequality
black girl was assaulted. This was the only in the society. It is therefore imperative that
major incident in the integration process. “Today that story will sound boring or surprising we develop and implement a comprehensive
to some. Gradually we have started reaching out programme to fight malnutrition and general
The examples I have given from the to one another and the mistrust disappeared, diseases experienced by the population. It
education sector also applies to the whole suspicion faded. It was translated into trust and is important to have a healthy population. A
public service. confidence. In all of this the guiding principle healthy population will be able to be productive
The Constitution required that those people was national reconciliation. in all spheres of society, be it in schools, in the
who were employed in the public service prior economy or any endeavours they undertake.
to independence should continue to perform “Today I believe Namibia is at a different faze The key to fight underdevelopment, poverty,
their duties as per Article 141. as far as human relations and development are unemployment is to promote a healthy nation.
concerned. Namibia is a totally different country Food security is important. We must promote
This article was not favoured by those people than it was in 1990. Surprisingly 20 years is not an improved diet among all our communities.
who felt excluded and was of the opinion that a very long time. 1990 seems like yesterday. The programme to immunise should be
those who worked for the colonial civil service “Of the challenges we face the most important compulsory.
were part of the machinery of oppression. question is how to tackle underdevelopment,
poverty and unemployment. This translates into “Over the next 20 years we must ensure
However in the spirit of national reconciliation unequal distribution of national resources that that we have a healthy, well educated nation
the Constitution states: ‘Subject to the is still visible. and create conditions for the majority of the
provisions of this Constitution, any person population to own productive assets. If we
holding office under any law in force on the “Poverty is the consequence of a lack of implement these three priorities, in another
date of Independence shall continue to hold productive assets among the majority of the 20 years from now, Namibia will be a totally
such office unless and until he or she resigns people. We have big challenges that must different society,” Prime Minister Angula
or is retired, transferred or removed from be addressed. Malnutrition is responsible for concluded.
office in accordance with law.’
He explained that Namibia’s democracy have progressively moved to a point of being embarrassing. Referring to India again, in a
is based on the political party list system, hopeless. “With the beginning of the term of country with 1.48 billion people they have
differing from the constituency based system. the fifth Parliament this year, we see a new elections of one day and the results are
The President is also elected directly by the situation, which can be compared to when the known hours after the polling stations close.
popular vote, and not by the winning party. Congress of Democrats (CoD) first participated We have no excuse and reason to hold our
After being elected the President constitutes in the 1999 election, with a new political party elections over two days.
his or her Cabinet from the elected members (the Rally for Democracy and Progress – RDP)
of the Parliament. entering the fray. “On the political front we face the challenge of
intolerance. It comes in different forms from
A member of the National Assembly is in “All in all we can be satisfied with what our the governing party, the opposition parties
Parliament thanks to the political party he Parliament and Government have achieved in and even from churches. There is a big need
or she belongs to. In a constituency based the last 20 years. However, on the economic for tolerance and that we should listen to
system, a member of Parliament’s main side we could have done better. We have more each other. Democracy needs wisdom and
loyalty would be with his or her constituency mouths to feed, there are more demands from tolerance to flourish,” Mr.Gurirab concluded.
not necessarily to a political party. civil society and we face climate change. The
economy must grow by at least seven or eight By the end of 2009 the National Assembly
“In Namibia the ministers and deputy percent if we hope to meet the goals of Vision passed 510 Bills. 1998 was the busiest
ministers run the show in Parliament, not 2030. We also have a lot to do to empower Parliamentary year when 35 Bills were passed
the backbenchers or the members of the our women politically, economically and as and 2009 the slowest with only seven Bills
opposition. The ministers set the agenda for entrepreneurs. The youth are crying because being adopted in that year.
Government. They translate the manifesto of even with degrees and senior secondary
the ruling party into policies and legislative certificates, they can’t find jobs. We will Looking back at the early years the Bills adopted
programmes, because it was on the strength have to grow our economy to provide more by Parliament tells the story of the birth of
of the manifesto that they convinced the opportunities. a new nation. The first Act that was made
voters to elect a specific party. in Namibia in 1990 was die National Coat of
“I am not really sure whether our citizens Arms of the Republic of Namibia Act, followed
“The leader of government business in the have reached the stage yet where they are by the Public Service Commission Act, the
National Assembly is the Prime Minister. able to differentiate between history, the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone
He is responsible for the government legacy of personalities, historical figures and of Namibia Act, the Assignment of Powers
business as drawn up by Cabinet. It is the issues of safety, security and social well-being. Act and the Pension Matters of Government
responsibility of ministers and others to assist This requires that they be informed about Institutions Amendment Act.
the Prime Minister in driving policy choices Government policies and laws.
and legislative programmes. It is inevitable Other interesting Acts of 1990 included
that Government policy will correspond with “If I look at countries like China and India, the Ombudsman Act, Bank of Namibia Act,
the manifesto on which a certain party was that in the early 1960’s were so poor, and how Namibian Citizenship Act, Public Holidays Act
elected into office. they managed to focus on their economies and and the Police Act.
transform themselves, be able to feed their
“Throughout our 20 years of independence, people and train their people, I see valuable In 1991 the Namibian Broadcasting Act, the
Swapo has maintained its dominant role lessons. These days their people are able to Namibian Citizenship Special Conferment Act,
in Parliament. This is due to the fact that grow their own food, grab opportunities to Recognition of Certain Marriages Act, the
there is a lack of major complaints for how gain skills and not look to the government National Anthem of the Republic of Namibia
6 Government is run, or anything that could for everything. They have acquired skills and Act and the Racial Discrimination Prohibition
threaten our democracy. The people feel that know-how to market their skills. They have the Act were among those adopted.
this is the best we can do, even though there money to spend on medical care, sending the
are still challenges like our education system, children to the schools of their choice. They The Namibian Parliament also boasts
health, the youth and the aged. Government have developed the means to create their own several standing committees dealing with
has not succeeded fully in addressing these wealth and to take care of their own lives. Constitutional and Legal Affairs; Economics,
issues, but there is still a feeling of ‘so far, Natural Resources and Public Administration;
so good’. “The future holds enormous challenges for us Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security;
in Namibia. Unemployment is now above 40 Human Resources, Social and Community
“Regarding the opposition parties, we have percent. This is too high for our country. Namibia Development; Privileges; Public Accounts and
had quite a mix since independence. In 1990 has the dubious record of having the highest Standing Rules and Orders. The committees
there were people of great stature and of Gini coefficient in the world. This measures are comprised of backbenchers from all
greater weight, who understood the role the income disparity in the population. A small political parties represented in Parliament.
of the opposition. In theory the opposition chunk of the population is very rich and the They play an important part in the business
of today is the government of tomorrow. majority is very poor. This has been the case of Parliament and contribute to the smooth
They played an active role and showed good for 20 years. We can not continue like this. We running of the state. All in all Namibia’s
leadership. “Unfortunately these days, I need to grow our economy. “We must also fix Parliament is in institution all Namibians can
would say we can do better. The opposition our electoral system, because it has become be rightly proud of.
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Minister of Justice, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana looks on while President Hifikepunye Pohamba unveils the plague of the High Court at Oshakati
Continues on page 8
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Justice remains a pillar of Namibia’s democracy: Chief Justice Continues from page 7
system in place for training recent graduates. have five supreme court judges. We still rely have always complied with court orders.
After successfully completing the training on judges from outside on a part time basis. It This is an important development and shows
they can replace the expatriate magistrates. is a vigorous process to appoint a judge to the Government’s commitment to the law and the
By the time the expatriates return to their supreme court and judges can’t just be taken judiciary.
home countries, we trust that sufficient skills from the High Court as it will in turn leave a
transfer will also have taken place. gap there. “If someone is unhappy with what Government
does, he or she can go to court,” Chief Justice
High Court “At present the High Court and Supreme Shivute said.
In 1990 at the time of independence Namibia Court are working effectively. Over the
only had three permanent judges. Today years transformation took place and with With all the success and achievements
there are ten permanent judges of which the appointment of the Ombudsman, the of the last 20 years, Chief Justice Shivute
three are Namibian women. In the past it was Prosecutor General and Judges, the Judicial admits that the judiciary still faces immense
the exclusive domain of men. However the Service Commission made a point to ensure a challenges.
pool from which to choose judges is small and balanced structure, reflective of our population,
therefore Namibia also relies on expatriates all inclusive and totally representative. Firstly there is the issue of a shortage of judges
to act as judges in the High Court. This has to deal with cases. A lack of administrative
its benifits as it improves the judice prudence “I am satisfied that we have a representative support to do the job, as well as an increased
in the country and Namibians can benifit from judiciary in which the population have great case load in the High Court and Supreme
the best in the Southern African region. They faith. Court, are other challenges. The rise in the
also make a significant contribution towards number of civil cases to be heard is a positive
the development of local law. Steps are also On the Constitutional level the High Court and indication that more and more Namibians
being taken to appoint more Namibians to Supreme Court had to interpret many ariticles know their rights and are aware that they can
the Bench, including women. of the Constitution especially pertaining to go to the High Court to get relief.
human rights. The right to legal representation;
“The work of the High Court has increased the differentiation between the powers and Not many people approach the Supreme
tremendously and the number of judges we functions of the Attorney General and the Court probably because of financial reasons.
have are still not enough. Appeals have been Prosecutor General – in which the courts made “The cost of litigation is a concern. The
made to Government to increase the number clear the seperation of powers; the issue of Supreme Court is the last court anyone can
of judges and Government is sympathetic corporal punishment – where the courts ruled approach to get relief, but often the cost is a
towards our plight. They accept the principle that it was degrading and inhumane and even hampering factor.
that this must be done to address crime and the ruling by the Supreme Court that magistrates
prevent the postponement of cases, Chief should not be part of the public service as it “However the good news is that the Court
Justice Shivute added. was not Constitutional, are examples. does not ask money to hear a case. It is only
the lawyers who must be paid.
Supreme Court “In the case of the Caprivi Seperatists trail, the
Namibians have reason to celebrate the court ruled that Govenment should pay for the “At the supreme court the waiting period for a
Supreme Court. In 1990 the Supreme Court legal representation of the accused. case to be heard is also short. Once a case is
existed but did not have its own courthouse. registered and the docket is ready, the court
“It is to the credit of Government that they can proceed.
“Today a prestigious building, prominent in
The super farm at Mariental Irrigation farming takes place at Hardap and at Aussenkehr in the south
Continues on page10
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
in favour of the former colonial rulers. and the northern and northeastern ‘reserves’ In 1922, the administration introduced the
The next 20 years would prove to be a or ‘homelands’. Movement for indigenous Native Administration Proclamation 11. This
trying time to address these inequities. Namibians was restricted, and whites were law provided that blacks who are not in
prohibited to enter these areas. employment may not be permitted to squat on
Twenty years after independence, the land land of owners or lessees without permission of
question remains at the heart of the post- Northern Namibians could only move out of a magistrate. Not more than 10 black families
colonial processes of State consolidation. the reserves if contracted for labour for limited could be employed by one farmer without
periods. permission. Native reserves were formed,
Equally, said the Namibian Government, land and the Native Reserves Commission in 1922
reform is to alleviate poverty and ensure Administration in the ‘homelands’ was done recommended that nine percent - or five million
increased sustained livelihood of resettlement by traditional authorities. Communities in the hectares - form these reserves.
beneficiaries to contribute meaningfully to northern regions were incorporated into the
Namibia’s economy. colonial administration after 1900: Ovamboland This meant that 11 740 indigenous Namibians
and the Caprivi Zipfel were incorporated in 1908 were settled on five million hectares, while 7
Land ownership in pre-independent and 1910 respectively. 481 371 hectares were given to 1106 white
Namibia farmers.
Before the colonial era, customary laws Herero chiefs used customary rights of land
by various language groups determined allocation in central parts of Namibia. In 1876, This proclamation did not affect Ovamboland,
landownership. Land tenure was communal, Chief Samuel Maharero set aside areas as Okavango and a few other areas in the north.
but suggested researchers Professor Sydney reserves for pastoralists. Europeans settled These areas were outside the white settlement
L. Harring and Willem Odendaal in the Legal on the rest. German colonial officials acquired area and under the administration of
Assistance Centre (LAC) publication ‘One day land by providing ‘protection’ to Herero, Nama commissioners. The South Africans continued
we will all be equal: A socio-legal perspective and Baster against warring clans. This landed separating Namibia into the Police Zone and
on the Namibian land reform and resettlement substantial lands to the Germans between 1893 northern regions as the Germans had done.
process’, the term was much more complex. and 1903.
By the mid-1940’s, there was demand to settle
Large tracts of land were held by pastoralists German expansion of land ownership grew after more ‘landless’ whites. In 1950, the Police Zone
- “some of the largest and most prosperous the 1897 rinderpest killed thousands of oxen, was pushed further north, which made available
herding cultures in southern Africa”. Other rendering indigenous people more vulnerable an additional 275 white farms. The Sperrgebied
parts were farmed in plots of different sizes and forced into wage labour while the price diamond area was also shifted for more farming
with a variety of crops. The San hunted and of land fell sharply and used as a bartered units to whites in the Namib Desert.
gathered. commodity.
By 1960, there were 5214 white-owned farms.
Each clan or family had definite rights to use The 1904 Nama and Herero revolt against The total commercial (or white-owned) farming 11
particular lands. Even the nomadic San, said German rule caused further loss of control and area was 39 million hectares, with each farm on
Harring and Odendaal, “regaled communal ownership of traditional land. At the end of the average sized about 7500 hectares.
lands with some possessory interest”. war in 1908, land and livestock of all indigenous
They suggested that both communal and groups in central and southern Namibia were By 1965, there were 8803 commercial farming
customary land rights be viewed as evolutionary confiscated. Only the Rehoboth Basters, some units. Harring and Odendaal suggested that
land tenure systems, changing with new Damaras and Berseba Namas were allowed to this meant some farmers owned more than one
circumstances. retain land and livestock. unit.
During the German colonial period (from 1884 From 1915 to 1920, no legislation existed under For Namibia’s indigenes, the land situation
to 1915) “white beneficiaries” occupied grazing which land settlement could be carried out. In remained bleak, although the Odendaal Plan
areas of the Herero and Nama. White settlers fact, the incoming South African administration in the 1960’s increased available land to black
did not penetrate the more fertile areas of the discouraged settlement. But white South Namibians by 50 percent. Ten reserves (or
north (the former Ovamboland) and northeast African stock farmers nonetheless moved into homelands) were declared in accordance with
(the former Okavangoland and Caprivi Zipfel). southern Namibia where they were issued with the Self-Government for Native Nations in South
grazing or occupation licenses. After 1920, a West Africa Act of 1968. The Act recognised
This left most indigenous inhabitants of the land board was introduced to facilitate land Ovamboland, Hereroland, Kaokoland,
northern regions on their own land, living settlement of white South African farmers. Okavangoland, Damaraland, and Eastern
Continues on page 12
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Large country, little land - land reform 20 years on Continues from page 11
Caprivi as ‘native nations’. But, said Harring In its pre-independence blueprint outlining strongly influenced subsequent legislation of
and Odendaal, the agricultural potential of transformation plans for the new nation, the land.
this added land was limited; it was “the most party declared that the State would become the
marginal of agricultural land”. absolute owner of all agricultural land. Alongside In broad terms, it adopted the willing-seller/
this, there would be a “relative accommodation willing-buyer (WSWB) concept, which means
In 1980, the South African regime introduced of a number of other forms of ownership of that those with land retain full discretion to
Proclamation 8 - or AG 8 - that established the means of agricultural production”, wrote sell land, or not.
second-tier governments over 11 ethnic Kaapama in his paper, ‘Commercial land reforms
groups. Under AG 8, traditional authorities in in postcolonial Namibia: What happened to It further proposed the expropriation of
the homelands became trustees of land there, liberation struggle rhetoric?’ land - against fair and just compensation - if
although the land ownership still resided with necessary of un- and underutilised land, from
the South African Government. The goal of the blueprint was to establish foreign landlords, from commercial farmers
fully-fledged State farms based on the model with excessive land, and from absentee
The representative authorities could allocate, of large-scale socialist farming by the State. landlords.
sell or lease communal land to a specific Further, there were to be cooperatives based on The adoption of the Agricultural (Commercial)
ethnic group only with a declaration from a combination of private ownership of land with Land Act in 1995 reserved Government’s
Cabinet that such land was not required for an emphasis of joint cultivation and/or sharing preferential rights to buy land that comes to
public or official purposes. of farm support services, as well as collective the market.
and communes.
AG 8 was in place until independence in 1990 This provision, said Kaapama, was often
when it was repealed and replaced by the “[These] forms of collective ownership were circumvented by some landowners who
Namibian Constitution. described as more favourable to the reversal converted the farming entity into a business
of the colonial socioeconomic relations based - like closed corporations - and later traded
The post-independence land reform on exploitation, as well as for provision of large them as a corporate concession to preferred
attempt resource bases for accumulation from below,” buyers, including foreigners.
* Legal Reforms said Kaapama. An added proposal was for the
The South West African People’s Organisation provision of individual family farms on land This loophole was addressed in the Second
(SWAPO) clinched the first democratic election units leased from local communities. Commercial Agricultural Land Reform
held in 1989 that heralded in Namibia’s Amendment Act. The 1995 Act was criticised
independence. It has remained in power since But, suggested Kaapama, the negotiated as being expensive while it fails to permit
then. settlement that brought in Independence, the acquisition of land for more efficient
“had major implications for the implementation resettlement.
of the transformation-oriented
socioeconomic development But, countered Government, the Act is an
agenda” of SWAPO. attempt to address the unequal distribution
of commercial land on the one hand, while
The 1989 SWAPO manifesto retaining the confidence of commercial
hence reaffirmed its commitment farmers and potential investors to Namibia.
to redress the land inequities, but
also made provision for private The Act does, however, make provision for
land ownership in addition to the land expropriation, but only after a ‘willing-
12 three forms of land ownership seller/willing-buyer’ process has been
stipulated in the 1985 United explored. The expropriation mechanism was
Nations Institute for Namibia introduced in 2004.
(UNIN) document.
Further, the Act makes provision for advise,
In 1991, the new Namibian surveying and valuation of land offered for
Government convened the sale. But the process is at the discretion of
seminal Land Conference to the lands minister. Any matter under the
iron out the land issue. The Act can be appealed to the Lands Tribunal.
conference was attended by The minister is bound by a decision of the
500 delegates from all over Land Tribunal, which has the effect of a High
the country to reach national Court decision, which can be appealed in
consensus. The land conference the Supreme Court. The 1995 Act was never
adopted 24 recommendations or challenged until the High Court made a ruling
‘consensus resolutions‘, although in favour of Gunther Kessle and two other
these were not legally binding. foreign nationals versus the Ministry of Lands
A resettled Ovahimba boasting with his crops while Deputy Prime The resolutions would, however, and Resettlement (MLR) in 2008.
Minister Dr. Libertina Amathila looks on
Continues on page 13
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Large country, little land - land reform 20 years on Continues from page 12
Government had attempted to expropriate Agricultural Bank, to assist communal farmers targets: only 90 000 hectares can be acquired
farms owned by the German nationals. But the to obtain farmland in commercial areas. This per year, instead of about 180 000 hectares.
High Court found the minister’s administration scheme was amended in 1996.
of the expropriation process wanting, Also in 2006, of the 18 farms that have been
suggesting that this “mismanaging” of the The AALS does not specifically consider issued with letters of intent for expropriation
process has left the land reform programme affirmative action loans to women, but the purposes, only three have been bought.
in a state of disarray. Bank considered that women could be reached
through loans given to cooperatives. In the now infamous Ongombo West saga,
Due to the slow pace of commercial land According to the Communal Land Reform Act the farm’s legal representatives decided to
acquisition, the 1995 Act was amended twice. of 2002, right holders were required to register have the farm bought through the willing-
The first amendment was in July 2000. This their land rights by March 2009, a date extended seller/willing-buyer arrangement.
amendment provides for the establishment from 2006.
and administration of the Land Acquisition This is while the MLR stated that, contrary to
and Development Fund. The Ministry of Lands and Resettlement (MLR) popular believe, it does not appropriate land
is currently consulting with various communities without due compensation.
The second amendment, in 2001, was brought on a proposed Land Reform Act that aims
about to regulate the appropriation of moneys to merge existing land laws that deal with Some commentators held that farms offered
of the Land Acquisition and Development Fund. commercial and communal land separately. have not been in good condition. These
It further makes provision for a restriction on were reportedly found with dilapidated
the transfers of agricultural land, and makes * Land acquisitions infrastructure, on mountainous terrain and
provision for the imposition and collection of The MLR has only been able to acquire 90 bush encroached landscapes. Or, they said,
land tax. Land was only taxed since 2005. commercial farms in the first ten years since many of these farms are in the desert or arid
independence. areas, like farms in the Karas region offered
The lands ministry also introduced a to potential settlers from northern Namibia.
resettlement policy to help previously It anticipated land acquisition and redistribution No farms - or few - were offered in areas
disadvantaged Namibians have access to land of 9.5 million hectares within a five-year period suitable for crop farming.
with secure tenure. during the second National Development Plan
The beneficiaries of this resettlement policy, period (2000 to 2005). This constitutes 25 As far as communal land is concerned,
according to the ministry are the following: percent of the total commercial land. allocations done by traditional authorities
people without land, income or livestock; before the adoption of the Communal Land
those who have few livestock; and people A recommendation was made that Government Reform Act have not been geographically
with no land but with an income or a livestock raise its target from 9.5 million hectares to 15 described, surveyed, registered or mapped.
who need land to be resettled on with their million hectares by 2020. This would translate This Act requires that all customary rights be
families. into 41 percent of commercial land. recognised and registered.
By 2006, the total area of commercial farmland
Initially, the main beneficiaries for resettlement owned by previously disadvantaged farmers A suggestion was made that Government
were the San, ex-soldiers, returnees from exile, had risen to 16.1 percent [according to data adopt rural development policies that promote
disabled people and displaced agricultural provided by the Namibian Agricultural Union agrarian reforms to benefit the rural poor.
workers. Under this programme, the ministry (NAU)].
allots acquired land to beneficiaries for free, Deputy Minister of Lands and Resettlement,
for a lease period of up to 99 years. There It was, however, noted that new farmers Isak Katali, had stated that the ministry has
were suggestions that the lease agreement received farms with up to 200 percent decrease set a target of freehold land acquisition for 13
be shortened to 50 years, or even as little as in productivity, in other words, the farms hold the year 2020 to be 4 100 000 hectares at
five years. three times less stock than before. a price tag of N$1.025 billion. This means a
In 2006, it was estimated that 240 000 people budget of N$68 333 333 per year.
Another change made to structures influencing are in need of land. What was not made clear
land and land reform, was the disbandment of was whether these people need land for Katali said the ministry has also targeted for 5
the Land Bank, first introduced in 1944. This agricultural purposes or for shelter. million hectares in non-freehold (communal)
body made way for the Agricultural Bank in By that year, Government has acquired 201 land for development at a cost of N$800
1991. At the same time the Agricultural Credit commercial farms, comprising 1 288 238 million, or N$53 333 333 per year.
Act of 1966 was repealed. The aim of the hectares of land, on which 1 561 families have Post-settlement support he set at a total cost
Agricultural Bank is to provide loans at special been resettled. of N$1.402 billion, or N$33 066 667 per year.
low interest rates to previously disadvantaged
persons in the purchase of farmland, and to The verdict remains out: the process of land All in all, said Katali, the ministry wishes to
those who occupy communal land irrespective acquisition under the willing-seller/willing-buyer see that by the year 2020, a total of 26 727
of ownership. arrangement is considered as too slow since families have benefited from land reform on
sellers decide when to sell, in other words, 15 300 000 hectares of agricultural land at a
In 1992, Cabinet introduced the Affirmative when market conditions are favourable. This total cost of N$3.723 billion, which translates
Action Loan Scheme (AALS), managed by the has meant that Government did not reach its into an annual budget of N$248 200 000.
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
A s Namibia celebrates its 20 years of a youth, he has witnessed the ill-treatment of people [including Dr. Sam Nujoma] in secret out
independence, Permanent Secretary the black people in Namibia. of the country,” he said.
Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana, Chairperson of the
Information and Publicity Sub-Committee He said those days were so difficult that two or The big three: Nujoma, Libertina and
of the National Inter-Ministerial Organising more people were not allowed to caucus. “As a Stanley
Committee for the 20th Independence black person you were not allowed to buy white Sam Nujoma who used to stay at Swakopmund
Anniversary led a team of public media bread and all your shopping would be done then, was being hunted by the apartheid South
to track down the unsung heroes and through the window,” he said. Stanley said his African regime for conducting “illegal meetings”
heroines who played a pivotal role in the church, the then Lutheran Evangelical Church at the time and he escaped to Windhoek.
quest for Namibia’s independence, and was also very discriminatory against blacks. The late Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero
document their stories. communities, Mr. Clemens Mutuurunge Kapuuo,
The church often collected money which it said had already sent the message to Chief Kutako
The ground breaking journey was to start with was going to be given to all the elderly people that “an important person was coming” through
tracking the footprints of the Founding President and vulnerable members of the church, but the Karuaihe family to Gobabis. Chief Kutako
and the Father of the Namibian Nation, Dr. Sam the money was only given to the white elderly arrived in Gobabis from Aminius to bless
Nujoma, and patches together the missing links people. These and more “cruel activities” of Nujoma’s way.
of the unsympathetic road to Namibia’s freedom the then South African colonial regime and
and independence. its people, stirred up his hatred against the At that time the South West Africa Police had an
“merciless” oppression and apartheid. This inkling that Nujoma was spotted in Windhoek and
The expedition led the discovery to a small but discrimination by the church led to the birth of Gobabis and they were looking for him. Stanley
rich farm called Ohauveve in the Ganzi district the present Oruuano or Protestant Unity Church was also being hunted as one of the suspected
of Botswana, about 40 kilometers from the of Bishop Asaria Kamburona. persons who would know the whereabouts of
Trans-Kalahari Border post, where the man who Nujoma.
transported Sam Nujoma into exile on 1 March Stanley’s father also supported the Ovaherero
1960 under the instruction of the late Chief communities by secretly providing them with Stanley says, Nujoma was received by Mr.
Hosea Kutako, still lives. rifles to wage war against the Germans. His Hijakati Katjiuanjo and others in Gobabis, since
great grandfather, the late Chief Kambauruma he was still at work. At that time he had never
A strong and meticulous 82 years old peasant, fought the Germans at the Ohamakari battle in met Nujoma in person but had heard about his
businessman and a father of seven, Mr. August 1904 until his rifle caught fire from the daring activities and that the police were after
Ludwig Kanduketu Stanley, has a very good heat of the ammunition. All these influenced his him. To protect him, Nujoma was hidden in a
recollection of his youth and his contribution to participation in the fight against colonialism. house for three days, where the wife of Reverend
the Namibian liberation struggle. Stanley was Assaria Kamburona, delivered a baby boy, a
born to an English father and Herero mother in Consequently, he opted to follow his father former Member of Parliament Rudolf Hijonganda
Windhoek on 8 January 1928 and grew up in at the age of 15, who had left for the British Kamburona. In the OvaHerero tradition no one
Ombujomumbonde in the Okakarara district. As Bechuanaland protectorate (Botswana) before is allowed to enter the house where a woman is
returning back to Namibia to
join the Chief Hosea Kutako
Council as a messenger or
transport officer. He later went
14 back to settle in Botswana in
1964.
in accouchement or in childbirth. finally reached the USA. Late Loise Opperman pleaded the Namibian High Commissioner to
Kavezeri is the mother to the late PLAN Botswana. H.E. Hadino Hishongwa. He was
Hence, Chief Hosea Kutako has instructed commander Hanganee Katjipuka Kavezeri. part of the delegation that undertook to track
a young Stanley to whisk Nujoma overnight down people who through noble gestures
into Botswana in the early morning hours of 1 Stanley also transported the Deputy Prime contributed to Namibia’s independence.
March 1960, which he wholeheartedly did. Minister Dr. Libertina Amathila, into exile among
others. “Libertina was an attractive little girl with Hishongwa further said now was the time to
They drove up to few kilometres towards the a mini skirt and very long nice hair when she tell the people of Namibia and the world that
former Namibia-Botswana border post, and came to my house,” he said. He kept her at his we did not fight alone. “A hearsay history is
had to switch off the lights and drive without house in Gobabis before transporting her under not a correct history,” he stressed.
them so that the border post personnel would a pretext that her parents had just died in Maun
not see them. [Botswana]. The Botswana High Commissioner to Namibia
He, however, had to cut her hair, to avoid the risk H.E. Duke Lefhoko emphasised that the
Before they reached the border post they of attracting attention and being interrogated. heroic gift of the Chevrolet to the two nations
stopped, hid the car in the bush far from must be reciprocated financially or with other
the road and walked. It was raining and the Stanley had met Nujoma and Libertina for the necessities.
Kalahari sands had soaked enough water. first time after independence in 1994. “It was
a great feeling when we met. He invited all Namibia-Botswana relations
Nujoma was alighted at the Ounongo River Ministers to come and see me,” he said. He The relationship between Namibia and
about five kilometres away from the former is expected to participate in the celebration Botswana dates back beyond the dark days of
Namibia-Botswana border post and had to of Namibia’s 20th Independence Anniversary German-Ovaheroro upraising and when South
find his way through the gloomy dark of the celebration on 21 March 2010 for the first time. Africa wanted to annex Namibia. It was during
rain and a thick acacia forest through Charles these difficult times when the Botswana Chief
Hill town, to the late Mr. Richard Raahua History making Chevy Muremi and Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva
Kanguaiko’s homestead at Otjomatemba with Stanley’s classic Chevrolet pickup, which is a near exchanged a dog and a cow between 1700
a map he has drawn for him. wreck parked under a tree, used to transport the to 1800. Chiefs Tshekedi Khama and others
people who would become high ranking leaders also petitioned the United Nations against
At some point “Nujoma’s shoe got stuck so in Namibia. He bought this vehicle in 1957 at a Namibia’s annexation to South Africa and later
deep in the mud, they had to dig in the mud to cost of 70 Pounds from an English car dealer facilitated Reverend Michael Scott’s contact
locate it,” before they could proceed, recalled called Eschorn in Gobabis. with Chief Hosea Kutako.
Stanley. Since going back to Namibia in the day
light would mean risk for Stanley, he chose to “Hosea Kutako travelled in this Chevrolet, “There is no difference between Batswana and
only escort Nujoma into Botswana. Charles Hill Nujoma travelled in this Chevrolet, Libertina Namibians apart from following procedures
was the first entry for Nujoma into exile. “In and many others travelled in this Chevrolet,” he and laws in place,” said Hishongwa, who
my quiet moments I pat myself on the back proudly spoke of his historical Chevrolet while was part of the expedition that continued to
that Namibia is free and the person I have pointing at the worn-out front left seat where Sehitwa, Maun, Mahalapye, Francistown and
transported in this country would become the Sam Nujoma sat. “This is Nujoma’s seat”, he Gaborone.
first president of an independent Namibia,” he murmured.
bragged. “When we wanted to petition the United
The 57 Chevy pickup as it affectionately used to Nations, it was the Batswana Chiefs who found
The Kanguaiko family then handed him to be called, is not only well kept, painted cream us Reverend Michael Scott to draft our letters.
the late Loise Opperman Kavezeri and Daniel
Munamava in Maun who then helped him to
and stationed on the drums under a big shady
tree, but has now become treasure that the
When Namibia got its independence the first
president to visit Namibia was the former
15
cross the borders of the British Bechuanaland Namibian government can consider to acquire Botswana President H.E. Ketumire Masire,
protectorate into the then Southern Rhodesia and erect between the Namibia-Botswana border a signal that Botswana was the first country
(Zimbabwe) in 1960 from where he proceeded posts as a national memorial shrine for tourists to recognise Namibia as an independent
to Tanganyika, Kenya, Sudan, Liberia and and future historians to visit in their quest for a sovereign state,” said Hishongwa. Hundreds
deeper understanding of Namibia’s journey to of thousands of Namibians fled the country on
independence. horse back, donkey carts and other modes of
transport through Botswana.
“This is like a memory wall picture for me, and
it was ready all the time” he reluctantly said as There were no refugees at that time in Charles
he admired it once more with a walk around it Hill but one wonders how the Batswana people
showing a rusted pump here and spade there, kept the Namibians. Hishongwa further said
all affixed to the car, in case of emergencies. Botswana and its people are poor, but they
“This vehicle must be recognised for our always shared the little they have, including
history. You are no longer a man of your their assistance during the devastating efundja
own, your vehicle is ours and you owe us (floods) two years back in the northern part of
a very important history. Do not deny the Namibia.
Mr. Stanley next to his 1957 Chevrolet. people of Botswana and Namibia your history,”
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
The budget for education has escalated from around N$600 million in the first year after independence to a whopping N$5 billion. But are the dividends
satisfactory?
16 instruction.
employment and technology found a myriad find gainful employment. physical infrastructure for learning and
of problem areas: from insufficient time spent Another area of concern is the large numbers teaching in schools, regional study and
on actual teaching in the classroom, to weak of Grade 10s who fail to continue onto the next resource centres and community based skills
school management, the unavailability of levels, Grade 11 and 12. development centres.
school textbooks and still unequal resourcing
of schools. This remains a political and social conundrum, ETSIP represents the education and training
with a growing clamour from parents and other sector’s response to Vision 2030, that is to
This was despite the escalation in the stakeholders that the Grade 10 fallouts are substantially enhance the sector’s contribution
education budget - from N$600 million in returned to the formal school system until they to the attainment of strategic national
1990 to around the current N$5 billion. have completed their secondary education. development goals and to facilitate the
transition to a knowledge based economy.
From the start, much emphasis was given to But a recent survey of the effects of Grade
increase enrolment at primary level. Learner 10 repeaters last year in the Khomas Region In the immediate future it is envisaged that it
enrolment did increase dramatically. Access to pointed to the fact that these repeaters caused will improve the quality, range and threshold of
both primary and secondary level has grown. a weaker overall performance rate at that level. skilled labour required to improve knowledge-
For example, enrolment has increased from Also, pundits are at one that repeaters put an driven productivity growth, and so contribute
384 445 in 1990 to 497 418 in 1998. This unnecessary strain on already thinly stretched to economic growth.
represents a growth of 2.5 percent annually resources, while there is no guarantee that a
and 30 percent growth rate overall. repeat will lead to improved results. It is reported that ETSIP will contribute
directly to equitable social development by
A worrisome trend emerging, though, was Those who had failed Grade 10 are given the addressing sector weaknesses like low quality
that enrolment at lower levels of educational opportunity to continue their studies through and effectiveness as evidenced in low student
attainment was that about 54 percent of the NAMCOL or to enter vocational training, which learning outcomes; low efficiency in the use
population received only primary education is now strengthened by the Namibian Training of available resources; persisting inequalities
during that period. Authority (NTA). in the distribution of education input and
outcomes; low capacity for knowledge creation
Another concern was that primary education The review process brought in the Education and application; and doubtful development
did not closely link up to the world of work. and Training Sector Improvement Programme and market relevance.
Furthermore, it was estimated that on an (ETSIP) introduced in 2005.
annual basis about 3000 of the 10 000 or The first phase of ETSIP will focus on
12 000 fulltime Grade 12 leavers do not find ETSIP was developed in collaboration strengthening the immediate supply of middle
employment or a place for further study. with a number of bilateral and multilateral to high-level skilled labour.
governments, donors and partners. It aims
An alarming projection was that Namibia this to improve the competency and knowledge ETSIP was developed into three five-year
year - 2010 - would have produced over 200 of learners by supporting new and innovative cycles, with the first cycle spanning 2006/07
000 persons who have completed - or partially methods of learning in addition to the more to 2010/11. This has now expanded to 2013.
completed - secondary education who will not traditional approaches. It also aims to improve
It is considered a comprehensive programme
that covers early childhood development and
pre-primary education, general education,
vocational training, tertiary education,
knowledge and innovation, and adult and 17
lifelong learning.
fisheries industry was an exclusive haven for the concept, Namibians will resort to eat fish 500 species with export potential although
mostly foreign owned companies or the few more often while discarding the expensive meat only 20 species are commercially exploited
heavily capital induced individuals, forced eating habits, thus in the end living a healthier and out of this eight species are regulated
authorities to roping in indigenous Namibians lifestyle. by means of total allowable catches. For this,
in the fold. This policy was to become the the Ministry says that it is on a regular basis
Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Also, cooperatives that worked at these fish conducting on-shore research with the intent
(BBBEE) of the Ministry of Fisheries and farms in 2008 got N$2 million in dividends paid to increase commercial exploited species in
Marine Resources. out amongst the members of the cooperative. the ocean.
Some of the fish farms in Government
This policy was to be phased in stages, as possession are the Onavivi Aquaculture Centre, Challenges ahead
it should not be to the detriment of the Epalela Fish Farm, Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries The fisheries industry in Namibia has
industry. Although greeted with suspicion and Institute, and the Leonardville Fish Farm. been heavily product oriented since the
ridicule by established players in the industry, Despite only coming to Namibia at the turn of commercialisation process started in earnest.
the policy was viewed as a recipe for disaster. the century, the Fisheries Ministry has made Calls from the Ministry are that they need a
Established players had to engage otherwise great strides in the aquaculture sector. diversification of market to ensure optimal
non- experienced or tested players all in the sales of its product. Namibia relies heavily
name of Namibianisation. The journey so far- twenty years down on Spain who is the main importer of our
the road. products and this puts Namibia in a precarious
Criticism were ill conceived, fears were about Today in the sub-region Namibia ranks second position – as market fluctuations might vary
personal greed and vanity, as some applicants in terms of fisheries product export after form time to time.
argue that Namibians had no experience South Africa and is ranked among the top
to handle the demands of the industry, but ten fisheries product and marine exports in Another problem identified is the lack of
Government was forced to go ahead with the the world. Spain continues to be the biggest value addition, fisheries states are moving
process. importer of Namibian fish products accounting towards this trend as value addition provides
for nearly 73 percent of the 600 000 metric stability and this has significant spin-off to
Namibianisation seeks to pair Namibian tons of fish harvested annually from our ocean. benefit support of sectors such as packaging,
companies with those in the industry for Italy, Netherlands, Germany, France, United ancillary services and other role players in
empowerment purposes. Fourteen years States, Australia and Japan are also importers the marine industry.
later, more than ten companies were in the of Namibian fish stocks.
hands of indigenous Namibians. Says Dr Abraham Iyambo, the Minister of
Only commercially exploited since 1994, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia
Aquaculture and Inland fisheries Namibian fish species are sought after abroad needs to diversify its markets and product
Another key innovation of the Ministry was with, Namibian hake and horse mackerel being development to achieve more flexibility and
the establishment of aquaculture driven the biggest export earners. Other species stability as prices of value added products
projects. Guided by an act, strategic plan are orange roughy, angel fish, monk, tuna, tend to be less variable compared to
and policy, aquaculture searches to develop pilchards, john dory, seaweed anchovy, kob, commodity prices.
the sector in the country. Today aquaculture kabeljou, kingklip, redeye, snoek, sole, jacop
farms are situated in the Kavango, Caprivi, fever and barbell. “There is a need for the industry to be more
Hardap and Omaheke regions. Government’s involved and more market oriented while
resolve for this sector is to ensure income for But scientist says that Namibia rich Benguela getting more engaged in the value chain by
rural communities, as well as the promotion current system fishing, Marine and Fisheries producing value added products.
of the sector. It is hoped that by popularising scientists say that the Namibian shores have over 19
Fish harvesting at Kasovo in the Kavango region A fish farm in the South. Aquaculture has taken Namibia by storm
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Namibia’s Vision 2030 intends economic growth from a lower income country to a high-income country. This is inextricably linked to the state of the
country’s infrastructure.
the country boasted with a relatively • Roads In 2008, the existing network was in “significant
robust system although it manifested Since independence, substantial developments deterioration” with a huge maintenance
regional imbalances – especially of roads took place in this sector. One major development backlog.
and railway. was the establishment of transport corridors –
the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari Highways. This is ascribed to insufficient funding allocated
Government’s objective is to increase citizen’s to maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading of
access to electricity, water and housing. Also, the construction of new roads into the road network.
Similarly, it wants to expand the provision of previously neglected areas has been engaged
electricity to rural and urban areas, to increase in. Today, Namibia has a road infrastructure “There has never been a year that we got the
access to telecommunications, and to provide spanning 44 000 kilometers, of which 6 000 funding we have requested,” said Mathe.
rural and urban areas with a reliable and highly kilometers are tarred. The rest consist of gravel,
developed transport system. salt and earth roads. And 4 000 kilometers The RA’s budget last year was N$455 million
make up urban roads and streets. instead of the requested N$700 million.
Transport infrastructure
Immediately after 1990 the transport sector was “We are doing much better than we had The RA stated that 73% (then consisting of 4
regulated in terms of the Road Transportation expected,” commented Audrin Mathe, Manager 141 kilometers) of the paved roads were older
Act of 1977. This caused a domination by a few of Corporate Communications of the Roads than 20 years.
large operators, thus stifling competition. Authority (RA).
And although Namibia is renowned for
Similarly, the railway system was suppressed Although the cost of building of new roads maintaining one of the best gravel road
because it had to carry the cost of its is prohibitive – N$4 million for one kilometer, networks in the world, recent assessments
infrastructure. The market share of rail had Namibia has nonetheless exceeded its targets. were that almost 30% could be considered as
significantly declined. poor to very poor.
So, for example, during the Namibia Development
In 1995, the Ministry of Works and Transport Plan 2 period (2001/02 to 2005/6), the target Two years ago, it was estimated that 19% of
and Communication launched its MWTC2000 to complete 240 kilometers of tarred road was the surfaced roads will reach the end of their
project, designed to restructure the transport exceeded by 121 percent. remaining life within a five-year period.
sector. Initially, the project covered road and
civil aviation only, but it was later decided to However, a target to rehabilitate 1500 It was estimated that around N$13.5 billion
include maritime affairs. kilometers of paved road was not: only 36% would be required to replace the top layers and
was completed. bituminous surfacing of tarred roads.
20 This project resulted in the establishment of the
Department of Transport, the Namibia Airports Notwithstanding the development of roads in Mathe said an amount of N$60 million per annum
Company (which started its operations in 1999), areas where there were previously none, or in is required to fix potholes and damages.
Workers busy with the construction of the northern railway extension project This train derailed at Brakwater at the start of January this year. It was established
that the accident occurred due to the antiquated state of much of the country’s rail
network.
Continues on page 21
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
22
A total of 1 244 accommodation
establishments were in operation in 2007,
of which 133 were newly opened for
business, and a further 1 220 regulated
businesses were registered, bringing the
total tourism businesses registered with
the NTB by the end of March 2008 to 2
962.
The NTB is the only legal tourism authority A view of the amazing Fish River Canyon near Ai-Ais
Continues on page 23
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
called a conservancy.
23
community living in Namibia. provision to manage
their own wildlife and
In addition, he said, Benelux and Scandinavian tourism activities,
countries, Canada and the United States of and communal area
America are the emerging markets. conservancies are
now found in nearly
This year, the tourism sector, especially all regions of the
accommodation establishments are set to country.
benefit from the much-awaited 2010 Soccer
World Cup to take place in South Africa this The Ministry of
year,” he stated. Environment and
Tourism introduced
He added: “We anticipate to benefit either legislation in 1996 to
from South Africans who do not want give conditional use
overcrowding, therefore, looking for space in rights over wildlife
Namibia or some teams which may come to to communities in
train in Namibia.” communal areas
that formed a The quiver-tree is one of the indigenous plants found in southern Namibia
“Namibia has already developed a branding management unit Continues on page 24
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
use-game, game meat distribution, trophy towards the turnaround strategy of the NWR. targets of the Third National Development
hunting to joint venture tourism generate Nandi-Ndaitwah said the capital investment Plan, namely sustained economic growth,
more than N$30 million per annum. by the shareholder into the NWR is a clear employment creation, reduced inequalities
testimony of the importance that government in income, gender as well as between the
Another achievement in the tourism industry is attaching to the tourism industry. various regions, reduced poverty and the
was the formation of Namibia Wildlife Resorts promotion of economic empowerment.
(NWR), which was established in 1998 with “The turnaround strategy clearly defined the
the aim to allow the tourism arm of the vision, mission and goals for the company “This is one of the major achievements in
government to function in a semi-independent over the following three years, providing an the tourism sector and for the country in
manner, based on sound business principles, integrated approach to achieve success,” she general, because now the government has
with the aim of becoming competitive within said. a policy to promote domestic as well as
the tourism sector and becoming profitable. international tourism, which will ensure that
“As we stand here today, the NWR has Namibian also enjoy the beauty of their
The NWR manages a total of 23 rest camps already brought a number of its facilities to tourism attractions,” he said.
and campsites throughout Namibia. international tourism standards, both in terms
of infrastructure and service delivery,” she The formation of the Federation of Namibian
These include Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni, said, adding that the company has started to Tourism Associations (FENATA), an umbrella
Onkoshi Camp, Waterberg, Sossus Dune diversify its product range to also offer a more organisation that represents the interests
Lodge, Sesriem, Naukluft, Ai-Ais, Hobas, Daan exclusive and natural product. of the private sector in the tourism industry
Viljoen, Terrace Bay, Torra Bay, Jakkalsputz, is also among the country’s tourism
Mile 108, Mile 14, Mile 72, Duwisib, Khorixas, Meanwhile, NWR’s Pauline Lindique said achievements in the past 20 years.
Gross Barmen, Hardap, Popa Falls, Shark dramatic improvements in the facilities that
Island and Von Bach. received financing through the government FENATA aims at conserving Namibia’s
guarantee, such as Okaukuejo, Halali, heritage for its children through for low-
Environment Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namutoni and Waterberg camps now stand volume tourism, especially in vulnerable
the NWR has experienced a roller-coaster ride tall amongst other tourism establishments and areas; provide a high-standard tourism
of failures and successes, ups and downs, make Namibia proud. product at a reasonable but realistic price
with a number of changes in management The redeveloped facilities have been well and to work closely with the Namibian
and its board, and numerous challenges. received in the tourism market. Tourism Board to enhance quality standards
in the industry and to make these applicable
At the time of its creation, the tourism industry The development of two entirely new eco- in all sectors.
was crying out for change, as it perceived the friendly camps was embarked upon and the Member associations of FENATA include the
detrimental impact of the rapidly dilapidating Sossus Dune Lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN),
infrastructure and primarily absent customer Park opened in July 2008, while the Onkoshi the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia
service at prime tourist destinations. Camp in the Etosha National Park also opened (TASA), the Namibian Professional Hunter’s
in 2008. Association (NAPHA), the Tourism Related
Service and infrastructure deteriorated to Namibian Business Association (TRENABA),
such an extent that some of the facilities “Created from scratch in the most and the Namibian Community Based Tourism
failed to meet the minimum standards for environmentally-sensitive manner, both these Association (NACOBTA).
registration with the Namibia Tourism Board, facilities have quickly found their feet and made Whilst these are laudable achievements,
and the NWR received ultimatums from NTB their mark in the Namibian tourism arena,” she Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said they should
24 to avoid closure of the resorts. emphasised. not shy away from acknowledging that
tourism is not representative of Namibia’s
The company reached an all time low in In addition, the promulgation of the Casino and disadvantaged population, in so far as
September 2005, when it had reached the Gambling Act in 1994 is also recorded as one of participation in main stream tourism
limit of all its credit and overdraft facilities, the Independence achievements. economic activities are concerned.
and was unable to pay salaries on time. As a nation, she said, we have committed to
Tourism’s Director in the MET, Sam Shikongo poverty alleviation and job creation.
Following the appointment of the current said the income from casinos and gambling “This commits us to work hard and to set
Managing Director Tobie Aupindi that took currently contributes N$15 million towards the uncompromising targets, and to smooth
effect at the end of 2006, Cabinet approved country’s annual revenue. critical obstacles in the path of broad-based
the business plan and turnaround strategy participation and skills development,” she
for NWR and the capitalisation of the In 2008, the ministry launched the National added.
company that heralded the beginning of a Policy on Tourism aimed at providing a Therefore, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, the
new phase of rehabilitation, re-engineering framework for the mobilisation of tourism government of Namibia views tourism as
and reconstruction of the NWR. resources to realise long term national goals a sector with great potential for increasing
defined in Vision 2030, and the more specific employment possibilities and, at the same
The government pumped in N$80 million time, improving equality in enterprise
ownership and participation.
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Such companies include United Kingdom- Other small mines in the country include Walvis Skorpion Mining is also wholly foreign owned,
based Kalahari Minerals Plc, West Australian Bay-based Salt and Chemicals and Okorusu with Anglo American the sole owners of the
Metals, Deep Yellow Ltd, Extract Resources and Fluorspar outside Otjiwarongo, which is owned company and its Namibian assets.
Bannerman Resources all from Australia, and by Belgian pharmaceutical giant, Solvay.
Canadian firms Xemplar Energy Corporation Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation completed its
and Forsys Metals Corporation, which owns Ownership Namibianisation transaction in July 2008,
the Valencia Uranium mine. Several Russian While Namibia continues to make strides which gave the company a more Namibian
companies have also shown great interest in mining, questions continue to be asked identity and ownership. The Rosh Pinah
in Namibian uranium and could come to regarding equities in and the ownership of Employee Empowerment participation Scheme
Trust, for example owns three percent of the
company.
Forum of Namibia appointed lawyer Clement in terms of advertising revenue. There are network, for example, makes the distribution
Daniels as the country’s first ever Media however newspapers, magazines and radio and of newspapers and magazines easier. Currently
Ombudsman. Currently a process is underway stations that collapsed as a result of lack of some areas have no access to such media as
to create a self-regulatory framework for the funds to sustain them. a result of the fact that road infrastructures
media as part of the new developments. Namibia’s overall advertising pool on which all are not conducive to drive to such remote
media outlets rely for income is, by international areas. As for electronic media, some parts of
Information and Communication Technology standards, very small hence the competition the country have no frequency receptors that
Minister Joël Kaapanda, upon hearing that the among media houses. would allow both radio and TV broadcasts to
media has finally established a self-regulatory reach such areas. Considerable progress is
body, expressed delight an assured the media Challenges however, being made in this area. Being a
that it is government’s least intent to meddle While the media in Namibia enjoys the benefits relatively newly independent country, Namibia
into private media affairs. offered by a liberal market system, there has a small pool of human resources needed
exists a need for regulations safeguarding fair in the media. A lot of expatriates have come
Also on the regulatory front, Namibia has competition and guaranteeing commitment to to Namibia to work in various capacities of the
made significant strides when the much- social responsibility. country’s media, although Namibians have
awaited Communications Bill was tabled picked up considerably in as far as acquiring
in parliament in 2009. Through this Bill, To face competition the media also need to media skills is concerned.
the Communications Regulatory Authority have flexible access to the commercial market
28 of Namibia (CRAN) the country’s regulator
was created. CRAN replaces the Namibian
in order to generate resources that would Namibian media at a glance:
Households with television 39.22 percent
enable it to invest in the production of quality
Communications Commission (NCC), which content for its target segments.
was established under the NCC Act of 1992. Internet access: 113,500 Internet users as of
The majority of the Namibia media carry Jun 09
The Bill is particularly vital in the sense their contents in English, the country’s official
that it sets out the licensing framework for language, yet there is a big portion of Namibians Radio stations: 20
both telecommunications and broadcasting, who do not understand English.
including class and individual licenses for National dailies newspapers: 4
telecommunications services, and contains This does not only disservice the people in
provisions designed to cover interconnection, terms of information access but also bites a big National weekly newspapers: 5
tariffs, the allocation of broadcasting share of potential income for the media who
frequencies, the promotion of competition could rake in good revenues by reaching such Commercial radio stations: 9
and the establishment of a universal service segments.
agency. Community radio stations: 6
On a commercial front, the Namibian media, Infrastructure development or lack of it thereof,
both print and electronic, has gone against all remains one of the stumbling blocks of media Television Sets per 1,000: 33.4
odds to make the industry a profitable one prosperity in the country. An extended road
Internet Access per 1,000: 16.7
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
Recognising that telecommunications In the past 20 years, the government says it has mobile telecommunications services, with a
infrastructure continues to be the lead driver also made great strides in ICT development. penetration rate of 50 percent. The country
upon which ICT development depends, stands at about seven percent on fixed line
Namibia two years ago joined the West “At policy level, government embarked on telecommunications and three percent on
African Submarine Cable System (WACS) to liberalising the ICT sector,” he said, citing the internet penetration. The coming on board of
ensure direct and independent international separation of functions of policy development Leo and Switch mobile providers will enable
connectivity. Namibia has been experiencing from operational responsibilities which Namibia reach the goal of up to 90 percent
limited bandwidth capacity because the were entrusted to Telecom Namibia, Mobile penetration rate by 2012.
country does not have direct access to Telecommunications Corporation (MTC) and
undersea communication cables. This said Nampost, while regulatory responsibilities In the telecommunications policy and
Kassen, has forced Namibia to route it were given to the Namibia Communications regulatory framework adopted in 1999, the
major portion of out communication through Commission. government made commitments to liberalise
South African networks, which has made it the ICT markets, thereby opening it up to
expensive. The short term goal of government policy on competition.
telecommunications is faster liberalisation
Although in 1995, Namibia acquired of the sector to provide telephone access to “The legal framework adopted by Government
bandwidth capacity on the Southern African between 80 and 90 percent of the population, in 1992 provided for a liberalised market
Communications Cable (SAT-3), there is no to ensure that each community of 100 people structure. As a separate statutory body,
submarine cable landing point on the coast. should have one connection. The measurement the Namibia Communications Commission
With Namibia joining WACS, the country will of telecommunications penetration is agreed to could issue telecommunications licenses
not only have adequate bandwidth capacity be one connection per 100 citizens. In terms second fixed line operators, internet service
but also have its own landing point at the of population coverage, MTC statistics indicate providers, international gateway services,”
coastal town of Swakopmund by 2011. that 95 percent of the country is covered by he said adding that no second fixed line
29
The Namibian delegation, consisting of Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila and former Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and
officials attended the second leg of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis, Tunisia in 2006.
Continues on page 30
Government Information Bulletin March 2010
telecoms service license and gateway license and beyond to prescribe operators,” the director services.”
was issued up until two years ago. The new added. As a result, last year saw the reduction
law has provided for a new licensing regime, of mobile interconnected rates between mobile This will however be addressed by the
which has not only seen the granting of operators from N$1.20 to N$0.60, with the aim country’s involvement in the WACS project.
two international gateway licenses but also of further reducing the rates to N$0.30 by next Namibia and Botswana are equal partners on
the introduction of a third mobile operator, year. the project on which they feature at second
Switch. tier, which gives them a preferential position
The next stage of implementation entails the among a group of other countries.
The commercialisation of the telecoms operators passing on the lower interconnect
operator started in 1992 with the establishment rates to the consumer and end user, thereby Limited public funds and shortage of human
of mobile services in 1995 through MTC. The ensuring lower telecommunications service resource capacity within the sector have
coming on board of Cell One, now known costs for Namibians. also been a problem. Entrepreneurial
as Leo, “marks a definitive milestone of development and creating a critical mass of
introducing competition in mobile telephony”, Namibia is also one of the few African ICT professionals are two of the ICT policy
said Kassen. He added that the creation of countries that successfully piloted Digital Video objectives that the government will strive to
the NCC, also established the legal basis for Broadcasting via Mobile Phones (DVB-H), achieve through the implementation of ICT
open competition. technology that enables clients to watch policies.
television on their mobile phones.
However, the government will have to give Although Namibia’s industrialisation by the
policy direction as to how many open licenses Although good developments in the sector year 2030, which is 20 years from now,
the regulator can give. abound, the country’s telecommunications rates happens to be a time that many seem
remain high because of lack of an own landing sceptical about, ICT will be the enabler to
This development also introduced competition point and consequently scarce bandwidth. achieving the vision’s goals in all the other
on the market and led to the reduction Namibia has capacity which is dormant until sectors, said he.
of telecommunications costs over all the the 2011 project comes to fruition. With the
networks. A welcome development as a result direct cable, Namibia will not have to depend Namibia has the vision, political will,
of the existing competitive environment is the on South Africa anymore, which at present is development plans and programmes in place
free calls and sms, as well as free internet the country’s gateway to internet connectivity. to overcome the challenges such as limited
connection from the two main mobile human resource capacity. After all, the
operators. Kassen described the undersea cable as biggest problem facing the sector, which is
the “biggest single event that influences limited bandwidth for the country to be able
“Namibia pioneered a standard reduced development in the sector. A major constraint to roll out more and faster e services, will be
interconnect regime between mobile is limited bandwidth to be able to roll out more a thing of the past, when the WACS project
operators based on benchmarks within SADC and faster e services, such as e government becomes operational next year.
W hy if Gilbert Galindo’s words speak “They went to the drawing board and identified A theatre project that will train 30 Namibians
the truth, does it seem as if the priorities on the cultural front, amongst others from 30 towns will start this year. “Our hope lies
arts enjoy so little attention? What has theatre, performing arts, visual arts, literature, in decentralisation so that communities can run
happend in the Namibian arts industry in and festivals.” their own theatre.”
the last 20 years? And what is the current
state of affairs? Theatre Well-known director and board member of
“Unfortunately not much has happened in the the National Theatre, Ms. Sandy Rudd, says
According to Mr. André Strauss, Deputy Director: last 20 years, and worst still, theatre in schools that everything is not doom and gloom. “With
Culture Programmes of the Ministry of Youth, has disappeared. The situation is dire,” says energy and passion anything can happen!”
National Service, Sport and Culture, the new Mr. Strauss. “Theatre is especially essential in
goverment of 1990 had a dream to move away Namibia where literacy levels are low, since it is She is of the opinion that the previous regime
from an exclusive to an inclusive community. a powerful tool to carry messages across.” killed local theatre to a great extent. “We were
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Government Information Bulletin March 2010
seen as one of South Africa’s provinces and Thanks to the National Theatre’s Theatre the best art is created in times of strife, but
only their actors graced our stages. This Zone Project (aimed at staging community- in Namibia it seems to be the peace that
created a culture that ‘outside is better’ and based theatre productions), the Golden Pen inspires.”
in so doing suppressed local theatre.” Script Writing Awards and the Youth Theatre
Development Project, there is hope. He says he sometimes has the impression
“But we should keep in mind that the Namibian Performing arts that the older generation relies on the
population is small. According to international “In terms of musicians, we’re experiencing a government for support. “However, the
statistics, 0.1 % of any given population are revolution,” says Mr. Strauss. “Especially local younger generation are go-getters that make
theatre-goers, which means that there are languages, like Oviritje, have made great use of every opportunity.”
essentially about 3 000 theatre-goers in strides and the rest of Africa and Europe love
Windhoek.” our music.” According to the director of the National Art
Gallery and artist, Joseph Madisia, there has
“Of course financing is an issue. The grant we He finds that the younger generation are never been a support structure (medical aid,
receive is just enough to cover salaries and creating their own opportunities. “I believe social security, etc.) for visual artists. “You are
even the smallest play costs about N$250 that within the next five or ten years, we could basically on your own,” he says.
000 to produce.” have international stars. For example, Gazza
has already made One of the things he feels the goverment can
his mark overseas. do, is to become affiliated to the International
Choirs from Unam, Artists Association Federation. For US$7 000
the Polytechnic, the per year, so many more doors would open to
Cantare Audire and artists.
the Mascato Youth
Choir are also He is also of the opinion that there are too few
creating waves.” museums and galleries. “Now everyone must
International tours travel to Windhoek to exhibit and treasures
however are often often remain hidden in rural areas. We need
only made possible to promote the arts in rural areas. The fact is
by the generosity we must aim towards decentralisation. Then
of sponsors and the arts will be on peoples’ doorstep.”
invitations by host
countries, like the A possible solution is cultural villages where
Voices of Namibia the Namibia Tourism Board can come on
that will be board by promoting cultural tourism.
travelling to China
to participate at One support organisation is Visual Artists-
the World Choir Namibia (VA-N) that was launched in 2006
Olympics in July. and currently has more than 100 members.
According to the Through their outreach programme 15 regional
trip organiser, Mr. workshops were held for 216 people in 2007
Rolf Hansen, the and 2008. “As a representative organisation,
40 choir members VA-N would like to ensure that the benefits of
are working hard
to collect enough
being a memer of the art community do not
stop in Windhoek, but also reach Namibians
31
money to cover across all regions,” says chairperson Mr. Peter
expenses. “Not an Kewowo.
easy task, since
we have to rely on Literature
the support of the According to Mr. Strauss, literature kicked
public.” off well with projects like the Children Book
Forum. “But I’m afraid there’s a lack of writers
Visual arts and and if we as a nation don’t read, we won’t
crafts develop and we’ll be worse off.” He says that
“Visual arts and the Namibian Book Development Council had
crafts are perhaps the objective to develop a writer’s culture, but
doing even better unfortunately the council died a silent death.
than performing “While the government failed to a certain
arts,” says Mr. degree in this sector, there is talent. We’ll
A linocut artwork by acclaimed Namibian artist, John Muafangejo Strauss. “Usually have to go back to the drawing board.”
Continues on page 32
Government Information Bulletin March 2010