ǁKharas Governor Dawid Gertze has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to decentralise budgets, accelerate farm acquisitions and allocate more resources to advance land reform in the region.

“Land is identity, dignity and the foundation of economic freedom,” Gertze said, adding that decentralisation could only succeed if the Regional Council was adequately resourced to deliver services to communities.

Despite limited resources, he said the land division had made progress in land security, infrastructure development and revenue collection.

More than N$270 000 has been invested in five solar-powered pumping systems at the Khabus, Uitschot, Melkbos, Tafelkop and Ortmansbaum Oost resettlement farms. A borehole has also been d

A further N$500 000 was spent on fencing to create productive farming areas. In addition, N$457190 in lease revenue was collected, while three non-performing farming units were withdrawn.

The ǁKharas Communal Land Board registered 172 customary land rights. A further 26 residential properties, including 24 from Namdeb, were transferred to the government.