Minister Inge Zaamwani Hands Over Farm Allotment Letters to Tsintsabis Beneficiaries

Tsintsabis, 12 September 2026.

Keynote address by Hon. Inge I. Zaamwani (MP), Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, at the official handover of allotment letters to beneficiaries of Farm Tsintsabis No. 881 and Farm Urwald No. 1150.

Mr Petrus C. Nangolo, Director of Ceremonies and Acting Executive Director;

Honourable Sacky Kathindi, Governor of the Oshikoto Region;

Honourable Moses //Khumub, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President and Regional Councillor for the Guinas Constituency;

Gaob Alfred //Khamugub, of the Hai//Om San Traditional Authority;

Members of the Oshikoto Regional Resettlement Committee;

Senior Officials and staff members of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and all Government staff;

Development Partners and all invited stakeholders;

Resettlement beneficiaries;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning.

1. t is an honour to join you in Tsintsabis for the official handover of allotment letters to beneficiaries of Farm Tsintsabis No. 881 and Farm Urwald No. 1150. The Government acquired these farms in 1992, prior to the enactment of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, Act No. 6 of 1995. The farms were acquired primarily for food production and income-generating activities, with the broader objective of improving the socio-economic conditions and livelihoods of the beneficiaries through productive use of agricultural land.
2. Today marks an important step in the implementation of Namibia’s land reform programme and opens a new chapter of opportunity, responsibility and hope for the community of Tsintsabis. It is also a milestone in resolving long-standing legacy issues regarding the allocation of land on these two farms.
3. Land is central to Namibia’s social and economic development. It supports agriculture, food production, livelihoods and economic empowerment. At Independence, Namibia inherited a deeply unequal pattern of land ownership and access. Correcting this historical imbalance remains an important responsibility of the Government.
4. Through the land reform programme, Government continues to acquire and allocate agricultural land to eligible Namibians who were historically denied equitable access. The allocation of these two farms therefore forms part of that national commitment. In addition to settling beneficiaries on land, the objective is to also create opportunities for productive, self-reliant and economically empowered citizens.
5. Our land reform programme must contribute meaningfully to poverty reduction, food security, rural development, employment creation and improved livelihoods. Beyond the allocation of the land, success must also be measured by the lives improved, the food produced, the jobs created and the communities strengthened.
6. Therefore, those who get resettled have an opportunity to turn access to land into a productive and sustainable livelihood. An allotment letter is not the end of the land reform process; it is the beginning of a significant responsibility.
7. The land entrusted to the beneficiaries of the land reform process must be used productively and responsibly, in accordance with applicable policies, laws and conditions of allocation. It is expected that those who get resettled would develop their farming units according to their agricultural potential, whether they undertake livestock farming, crop production or another approved activity. However, at all material times, our aim should be to establish a viable and sustainable farming enterprise.
8. Agricultural land cannot be allowed to remain idle. I call on the 101 beneficiaries who are going to get their allotment letters today to demonstrate commitment, discipline and accountability; to maintain the infrastructure and resources entrusted to you; and to manage the land responsibly.
9. The handover of allotment letters represents an important step towards regularising the beneficiaries’ occupation on the farming units and strengthening administrative certainty over the allocated plots. The allotment letters will also provide beneficiaries with documented confirmation of their allocation, security of tenure, and clarify the conditions under which the farming units are to be occupied and utilised.
10. It is equally important to emphasise, however, that allotment of units comes with corresponding obligations and responsibilities. Beneficiaries are expected to use their farming units productively, comply with the applicable conditions of allocation and ensure that the land is managed in accordance with the objectives of the resettlement programme.
11. Government also recognises that successful resettlement requires more than land allocation. Beneficiaries also need agricultural extension services, technical knowledge, infrastructure, financing and access to inputs and markets. This requires sustained cooperation among the Ministry, the Oshikoto Regional Resettlement Committee, regional structures, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders.
12. Our collective focus must be to move beneficiaries from access to land towards productive and commercially sustainable farming. Beneficiaries should make full use of available support services, seek professional advice and, where appropriate, form cooperatives, market collectively, pursue value addition and build partnerships that improve access to inputs and markets.

Honourable Governor and our Esteemed Leaders,

1. Production must also be environmentally sustainable. Namibia’s fragile ecosystems, variable rainfall and limited water resources require careful stewardship. I therefore urge beneficiaries to protect the soil and vegetation, manage grazing responsibly, prevent land degradation, conserve biodiversity and use water efficiently. The land allocated today must remain productive for future generations.
2. I acknowledge the Oshikoto Regional Resettlement Committee and the officials of my Ministry for facilitating this allocation process. Land reform requires sound assessment, planning, verification, consultation and adherence to established procedures. Your work is essential to ensuring that land is allocated fairly, transparently and responsibly.
3. I also thank the Traditional Authorities and community leaders for supporting the land reform programme. Your cooperation is vital to responsible land use, peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development. I equally recognise the media’s role in helping the public understand the progress, opportunities and challenges of land reform through accurate and responsible reporting.

Namibia continues to face unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, climate change and high agricultural production costs. These challenges demand that we improve the implementation and impact of land reform. The beneficiaries receiving allotment letters today must be assisted to use their units productively. I challenge us all to support the beneficiaries to turn these farming units into productive assets that strengthen food security and contribute to the economic development of the Guinas Constituency, the Oshikoto Region and Namibia. Land reform is a shared national responsibility. Government will continue improving the systems through which land is acquired, developed and allocated, strengthening regional structures and pursuing partnerships that support beneficiaries. At the same time, beneficiaries, communities, Traditional Authorities, regional leaders, and the private sector must each play their part.

1. As I conclude, allow me to once again congratulate the 38 beneficiaries of Farm Tsintsabis and the 63 beneficiaries of Farm Urwald for finally receiving your allotment letters. May this day mark the beginning of a productive journey as you approach this opportunity with determination, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.
2. I thank the Honourable Governor, the Regional Resettlement Committee, Traditional Authorities, Ministry officials, stakeholders and everyone who contributed to making this occasion possible.
3. It is now my distinct honour, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, to call the beneficiaries to officially receive their allotment letters.

Thank you.

Final – Tsintsabis Allocation Statement copy

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