Maravi

Zambia backs Namibia land distribution policy

Zambia backs Namibia land distribution policy
From Grace Kasungami
in Windhoek, Namibia.

ZAMBIA supports the land distribution policy being pursued by the Namibian government, President Mwanawasa has said. Mr Mwanawasa said without land, nations could face serious difficulties in an attempt to reduce social inequalities and poverty among their people. The President was speaking during celebrations to mark Namibia’s 17th independence anniversary in the coastal town of Swakopmund, about 450km west of the capital, Windhoek. President Mwanawasa said political independence was meaningless when people had no access to the land they suffered for during the independence struggle.

Mr Mwanawasa told the crowd that gathered at Swakopmond stadium that Namibia could not succeed when its people had no access to basic factors of production such as land. He said many Namibians sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom and land and likened freedom without land to a tree without roots.

Mr Mwanawasa expressed admiration at the political, social and economic development that the Namibian government had achieved in the 17 years of independence. He paid tribute to the South-West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), for initiating policies aimed at spearheading economic development for the benefit of Namibians. Mr Mwanawasa told the gathering that success would not have been possible without the peace and stability that the SWAPO government had maintained from the time of independence in 1990.

Host President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, paid glowing tribute to Zambia for her great support and sacrifice during Namibia’s liberation struggle. Mr Pohamba said his country would remain indebted to Zambia for her selfless sacrifices for the freedom and independence of Namibia. The Namibian leader pledged continued friendship with countries such as Zambia in addressing the common challenges facing Namibia and the region at large.

First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, Transport and Communications Minister, Peter Daka, Gender Minister, Sara Saifwanda and other senior Government officials from Zambia attended the independence celebrations. Parade matches, performed by Namibia’s defence forces, dominated the event. Namibia achieved independence in 1990 after a bush war of almost 25 years.

The current President, Mr Pohamba, took over the reigns of power from independence freedom fighter, Sam Nujoma, in the November 2004 elections, where he won presidential elections with a landslide victory. Mr Pohamba, 62, was inaugurated in March 2005, and is determined to pursue his mentor’s policies including land reforms. Dr Nujoma remains leader of the ruling party, SWAPO until sometime this year. President Mwanawasa is in Namibia on a four-day visit and returns home on Saturday. — ZANIS.



http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/press/news/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1128063107

Levy for land reform
From Grace Kasungami and Isaac Chipampe in Windhoek

PRESUDENT Mwanawasa says Zambia supports the land distribution policy being pursued by the Namibian government. Mr Mwanawasa says without land, nations could face serious difficulties in an attempt to reduce social inequalities and poverty among their people. The President was speaking during celebrations to mark Namibia’s 17th independence anniversary held today in the coastal town of Swakopmund, about 450 kilometres, west of the capital, Windhoek.

Mr Mwanawasa said political independence was meaningless when people have no access to the land they suffered for during the struggle for independence. Mr Mwanawasa told the crowd that gathered at Swakopmund stadium that Namibia could not succeed when its people have no access to the basic factors of production such as land. He said many Namibians have sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom and land and likened freedom without land to a tree without roots.

And President Mwanawasa has commended the Southern African Development Community region (SADC) for hosting the most democratic and transparent elections in the last few years following the adoption of the SADC principles and guidelines governing elections. "The recent elections held in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Madagascar and Lesotho have all attested to the credibility of these principles," Mr Mwanawasa, who retained his presidency in September last year, said. Mr Mwanawasa was speaking at a banquet held in his honour by Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek on Tuesday night.

He also urged SADC countries to rise and help when one of them ran into serious difficulties. He praised Mr Pohamba for his fight against corruption, an attribute Mr Mwanawasa, himself, continues to possess. "The most unappealing of all challenges, in my opinion, is corruption. It robs the ordinary men and women of critical resources for national development, which ends up in the hands of few individuals or syndicates," he stated.

And President Mwanawasa said Zambia admired the economic growth Namibia has achieved because of good economic policies left by Dr Sam Nujoma. He also hailed Mr Pohamba for his continued fight against poverty. On the instability in the Middle East, Mr Mwanawasa said the conflict in Iraq was premised on the wrong assumption of the presence of weapons of mass destruction. "It has along the way taken an unpleasant and unpredictable turn for which the US government and its Western allies are responsible. The latter must now quickly find an appropriate solution to the Iraq conflict," he charged.

And speaking at celebrations to mark the 17th anniversary of Namibia's independence yesterday, President Pohamba paid tribute to Zambia for assisting his country during the freedom struggle. "The Zambian people made selfless sacrifices for our freedom and independence. We will never forget that many Zambians lost their lives, others were injured and valuable property was destroyed by the forces of apartheid," Mr Pohamba, who lived in Lusaka during his country's freedom struggle, said. His predecessor, Dr Sam Nujoma, who also lived in Zambia, was present at the colourful ceremony officiated by President Mwanawasa at the Swakop Rugby grounds. "Comrade Nujoma and I lived in Zambia from 1964. We were joined by thousands of Namibians.

That's why we consider you our brothers and sisters. So we are happy to bring you to officiate at this important function. Zambia is the second home for Namibians. Zambians stood firm to liberate our country. Words are not enough to express our gratitude. Many thanks to the people of Zambia for their invaluable and steadfast support. Zikomo kwa mbiri (thank you so much)," he said. Defence forces stole the show, clad in ceremonial military regalia, while the brass band trumpeted soulful classical music.

Namibian bands led by the Ndilimani played some popular numbers, including "Tiyende Pamodzi" in recognition of the Zambian presence. Officiating the function attended by hundreds of Namibians, Mr Mwanawasa, accompanied by First Lady, Maureen, said Zambia supports the land distribution policy, which the Namibian government introduced.

"Without land, any government can face serious difficulties in its attempts to reduce social inequalities and poverty among its countrymen and women," Mr Mwanawasa said. The President said the Zambian government believes that the claim for reparation by Namibians was justified. The Namibians were targeted victims of extermination by colonial powers. "It is blatant injustice to compensate one group and argue against the claim for reparation of another on account of racial differences," Mr Mwanawasa said.

And speaking at the same function, governor of Erongo Region, Samuel Nuuyoma, praised the beautiful coastal towns in his area, saying Swakopmund was not only the regional capital, but a summer capital of the country. He said the town was unique in its natural air-conditioning produced by the Atlantic Ocean. "Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Henties Bay are popular destinations in Namibia. The fishing industry, Namport and the uranium mines are keeping both towns alive," he said. Mr Mwanawasa, impressed with Mr Nuuyoma's speech, joked that he felt like extending his State visit, which comes to an end on Saturday.

Mr Mwanawasa also said Zambia and Namibia's peoples, cultures and economies are intertwined. "In other words, Zambia and Namibia stand together as one nation," he said amid thunderous applause. Mr Mwanawasa invited guests to a minute's silence to remember deceased Namibian war heroes. Later Mr Mwanawasa and his wife received traditional utensils from Namibian women to mark the end of the show.

Labels: LAND, NUJOMA

posted by MrK @ 5:01 PM