Farm Neu Progress Number 506, located 51 kilometres east of Windhoek on the road to Gobabis, is said to be auctioned today (21 May) by South African firm In2Assets in Durban.

The almost 7 000 hectare farm is listed as having extensive agricultural infrastructure, including 1 200 hectares dedicated to game farming. “Beyond its current agricultural functionality, the subject property presents exceptional potential for repurposing or expanding into a game and hunting farm,” In2Assets said in its listing.

The farm includes a private landing strip and a hangar for housing aircraft, hospitality facilities, as well separate staff accommodation.

k;">In reaction, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has warned that claims suggesting foreign buyers can freely purchase a Namibian agricultural farm without government approval are false and misleading.

This follows the circulation of an advertisement in South Africa promoting the proposed auction, allegedly stating that the property is “open to international buyers with no special government approval or waiver required”.

'Inconsistent'

In a statement issued today (21 May), the ministry said the claims are inconsistent with Namibia’s land laws and cautioned auctioneers, brokers and estate agents against marketing agricultural land to foreign nationals without complying with legal requirements.

According to ministry records, the farm measures 5 934 hectares and is registered to Progress Farming Co. Limited.

The ministry stressed that under the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1995, all agricultural land transactions are regulated by law and subject to statutory requirements, including the government’s right of first refusal when land is offered for sale.

It further stated that foreign nationals may only acquire agricultural land in Namibia after obtaining a waiver and approval from the minister responsible for land reform.

“There is currently no waiver or ministerial approval issued in respect of Farm Neu Progress No. 506 that would permit the lawful transfer of the property to a foreign national,” the statement read.

The ministry also noted that the farm has not recently been offered to the Namibian government as required by law and that no active waiver certificate exists for a private sale of the property.

Officials warned that any transaction concluded in contravention of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act would not be recognised by the Namibian government and could not be registered in the Deeds Registry.

Potential buyers have been urged to familiarise themselves with Namibia’s land legislation before entering into any agricultural land transaction.

The ministry said it would engage the owners of the farm to gain clarity on the circumstances surrounding the advertisement and proposed auction.