The Namibia Farmers’ Support Initiative (NFSI) has observed the developments regarding the announced expropriation of Namibian farms with concern as well as the "haphazard statements, denials, explanations and confusion emanating from government officials and party functionaries.". Speaking at media conference Wednesday, one of tis founders, Mr Sigi Eimbeck said the "sudden haste to implement so-called land reform options and policies, is testimony of immoral politicking for political gain".
"The NFSI is not against land reform. To the contrary, we support land reform if it is done within the ambit of the Namibian Constitution and Namibian Laws, and if it benefits the needy and the poor. The NFSI is prepared and ready to contribute and assist to achieve proper and feasible land reform", Eimbeck said.
The recently announced expropriation of Namibian farms had nothing to do with land reform, Eimbeck pointed out. The result of Minister Pohamba’s strategy to disown several white farmers, would increase poverty, ignorance and socio-economic disaster", he added. The land reform to be implemented was neither legal, nor in national interest, nor fair and would not benefit those who were in need of land.

"Those farmers who have been notified that the Government intends to seize their farms are either Namibian citizens or have been granted permanent residence by the Namibian government. All targeted farms are highly developed and productive and contribute significantly to the Namibian economy and create much needed jobs for Namibians", according to the NFSI. "The farms Minister Pohamba wants to take are collectively at least N$ 180 million worth; that is nett economic value. These farms generate an annual turnover of at least N$ 10 mil. At least 350 Namibians benefit directly from the salaries paid by these farm owners. About 2 250 Namibians will loose a livehood if the government has seized these farms. The direct, indirect and value added tax (VAT) these farmers pay annually, is enormous", the NFSI said.
To send an official, accompanied by 2 uniformed police officers, to wordlessly hand a letter to the farm owner notifying him of the intended acquisition of his property, spoke clearly of the underhanded political motives of the minister. To give those farmers only 14 days to respond to a notification that their livelihood and their total existence might be taken from them, "is immoral and affirms doubtful intent. Nothing can be politically right that is morally wrong", Eimbeck criticised.
The NFSI wanted to know if the targeted farms would not be given as payment or gratification to certain persons for votes and support in his request to become President of Namibia.
Had the Minister been serious to effect proper and feasible land reform, he would have ensured that detailed investigation, studies and calculations would have been made of farms before deciding that such farms are suitable for resettlement of landless people, Eimbeck noted. "Not one of the targeted farms has been subjected to such feasibility studies. There is no transparency", he complained. The NFSI appreciated and supported equitable distribution and reform of land, but had to be properly planned and implemented. "Ownership of land does not make anybody rich. Only hard work, knowledge, skills, sufficient money and sufficient suitable land will ensure that the landless will in fact enhance their quality of life", according to Eimbeck.

If Government wanted land for resettlement and empowerment of landless Namibians and for economic development, Pohamba would have had a definite plan of how many persons should be resettled on a given farm. He would know how many livestock such settlers would need to make a living and how much know-how and money they would need to be successful farmers. He would know how to train, equip and empower the resettled to develop economically. There is no such a plan!", the NFSI representative noted.
Had Mr Pohamba been concerned with the welfare of the landless people and the aspirations of this Nation, he would have used the existing institutions, bodies and policies Government created and implemented to ensure land reform was in the best interest of the Nation. "Vision 2030 as well as National Development Plans 1 and 2 clearly and directly spell out what is to be achieved with, amongst others, land reform. Mr Pohamba has intentionally and totally ignored and violated these pronounced aims and objectives of the Nation. There are no criteria for expropriation of land!".

Broadcasts that allegedly "the bulk of Namibia’s land suitable for agriculture is in the hands of the white commercial farmers" were simply not ture, Eimbeck said. "If that was the case, why did Government only buy 20% of all farms offered for sale? Truth is that the bulk of the high rainfall areas where intensive agriculture is possible, belongs to Government or black Namibians. It is not true to state that the willing-seller, willing buyer policy ‘has unfortunately been extremely slow’. Government has exceeded its intended purchase of land and the resettlement of people according to NDP 1&2 by far.

If Government expropriates the named Namibian farms for resettlement even more landless Namibians would be dumped on land on which they would become paupers. These persons would eventually stripped of their dignity. "Their aspirations for a better livelihood for themselves and their families will be void. Thousands of landless Namibians have already become casualties of Mr Pohamba’s unplanned and infeasible resettlement on suitable farms", according to Eimbeck.