Olukonda — History was made on 30 June, when the Namibian Government handed over the first customary land rights certificates to residents of Olukonda Constituency in the Oshikoto Region.

The issuing of 1000 certificates by the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement marked the closure of this first pilot project that was undertaken to carry out registration of these rights with aerial photos in Olukonda Constituency.

The Olukonda project was a close cooperation between the lands ministry and its donors - the European Commission funded Rural Poverty Reduction Programme (RPRP) and the German Development Bank KfW, which kicked off in March this year.

"This is a very historical occasion," said Lands and Resettlement Minister, Alpheus !Naruseb, during the closing ceremony.

"Olukonda is the first to achieve the total customary land rights (completely mapped and all rights registered) in the country," !Naruseb told about 60 villagers who crammed their community hall to grace the event.

Among them were regional councillor, Phillemon Ndjambula, and senior councillor of Ondonga Traditional Authority, Boas Mweendeleli, who also represented the King of Ondonga, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas.

The Communal Land Reform Act of 2002 stipulates that any person, who before the commencement of the Act held a right to occupy communal land for subsistence farming or residence purpose must apply for recognition and registration of such rights, at the latest by February 2009.

!Naruseb said there was a need to carry out registration work thoroughly and systematically, and the Olukonda project set a good example to be emulated.

"It is clear to the ministry that some communities are still not yet aware of the Act It is a very big hill for us to climb in this time and we will need assistance," he urged.

Besides the certificates the minister also handed over some of the village maps to village headmen and headwomen.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Elisabeth Pape, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Namibia stressed the need for the EC to support projects of high priority to Namibians.

"With the European Union taxpayer's money, we want to support programmes where the Government has ownership, and which ensure sustainable development.

"In Namibia, Government and we decided to support two priority areas - education and rural development, " Pape said.

For rural development, the commission provides N$530 million (Rural Poverty Reduction Programme), of which support for land reform is a relatively small portion (about N$40 million).

"We all recognise that a successful land reform is important for Namibia's economic and political development. It will contribute to greater justice in landownership while it should aim to also stimulate more efficient use of land for food production and export earnings," she added.

Ndjambula and Mweendeleli shared the same sentiments with !Naruseb.

Said Ndjambula: "To find lasting solutions to land needs, we need concerted efforts and transparent and clear criteria to select people to resettle."

"Most people are willing to develop their areas now that they have the rights," said Mweendeleli.

"This project was well conducted and I hope this work will continue to all other areas," he further stated.

The next project for registration of customary land rights is intended to cover areas in the Omusati and Caprivi regions.