The commercial farming sector set an example for fellow Namibians over the weekend as the biggest group who hekped on the northern railway in the North since its take-off in 2001. Dignitaries at this historical event were former President Nujoma and the President of the Namibia Agricultural Union, Raimar von Hase. Also present were Joel Kapaanda, Minister of Transport, Works and Communication, Teopolina Mushelenga, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, and Nghama Hosiko, governor of the Ohangwena region. - Over 100 farmers of 25 Farmers’ Associaitons, some with their families, and all staff members of the NAU together with their Executive Manager, Sakkie Coetzee, enthusias-tically showed their skills with spades, picks and wheel-barrows, the NAU said in a statement. - Members of the farmers group wore T-shirts with the NAU logo and the slogan "Namibian farmers building Namibia - Railway Project 2005." Some of these T-shirts were also handed over to the dignitaries who were present.

The NAU handed over 3 000 pairs of strong gloves and a donation of meat to Nujoma. The Seeis Farmers’ Association sponsored the meat, and traditional lunch of kapana was prepared in huge pots on open fires. Mr Nujoma emphasised the need for Namibians to unite and to work together in reaching goals. He expressed his appreciation towards participating farmers. Mr von Hase highlighted the fact that farmers are workers of the hand and the land, and that many more would have formed part of this important project if it was not for busy schedules during the hunting season. He applauded Nujoma for this nation building initiative and assured him of farmers’ support. A management team of the Ohlthaver & List group of companies also participated with the NAU last Friday.

A day of hard work and a joint contribution to the development of Namibia were aptly celebrated with a braai, which was also attended by Nujoma, Minister Kapaanda and other dignitaries at the camping site of Storbou Construction at Okatope. The meat for the braai was sponsored by Farmers’ Meat Market.