Oshikoto registers over 20 000 communal land rights

The Oshikoto regional council has revealed they have registered 20 887 communal land rights, of which 20 754 are customary and 133 are leasehold.

These figures were shared at a recent information session at Oniipa.

In an interview with Namibian Sun, chairperson of the Oshikoto communal land board, Paulina Uugwanga, said communal land is occupied by people who sometimes do not know what is expected of them by the law of the country.

"Most people live on the land, and we are unable to identify them because they are not registered. Not many people realise that they live securely when they are registered," she said.

Successes and challenges

According to Uugwanga, the region is doing well in terms of registering customary land rights.

However, the region does face challenges in terms of unregistered leaseholds.

"We are not doing well with leasehold; they are not registered, but there are a lot of businesses and farmlands in these communal areas," she said.

She added that a lot of communal land is occupied by unregistered occupants.

"People and organisations need to be enlightened that the land they occupy for any purpose needs to be registered," she said.

For benefits

Uugwanga explained that registering land enables the board to intervene when disputes arise, in addition to other benefits.

"The registration is not to punish anyone, but an advantage for registered persons to know where their parameters are to avoid intruders and secure a tenure," she stressed.

Uugwanga said the ministry does not have enough manpower to be in the field and in the office.

"Budget issues are constraining us in terms of carrying out what we are supposed to do. There is also a lack of understanding from registered and unregistered occupants," she said.