NEEEF 25% clause will not solve inequality The minister of presidential affairs, Frans Kapofi, has told commercial farmers that the ownership pillar of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF) policy must be reviewed and that the proposed 25% ownership that white businesses have to make available for disadvantaged Namibians would not solve the problem of inequity. These remarks were made last week at the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) annual strategic planning session when Kapofi discussed important issues with the union''s executive council.
According to the NAU the view expressed by Kapofi is in accord with a statement by President Hage Geingob at the recent Swapo congress.
“He also emphasised that the creation of prosperity should rather be attended to than to just redistribute prosperity and that this is the responsibility of everybody in Namibia,” says the NAU.
According to the union Kapofi also emphasised the important contribution of commercial farming to the country''s economy and referred to the government intervention in reopening the South African border for livestock exports as proof of how important the sector is.
With regard to land reform Kapofi expressed concern that some resettlement farms are not productive and he encouraged farmers to assist where necessary.
He referred to his own personal situation where commercial farmers helped him to commercialise his own farm.
During the annual planning session the strategies of the NAU were scrutinised.
The union says following input from the executive council, macro-economic aspects such as the environment in which farmers produce were discussed.
According to the NAU it was again emphasised that the government is a strategic partner of the union and that better cooperation on political as well as administrative level is necessary.
The executive council also expressed concern that the public often reacts to perceptions regarding commercial agriculture and not on factual information.
“The NAU will make an attempt to not only give its members factual information with regard to various aspects, but also to the general public,” it said.
It said to do this a series of meetings will be held early next year in the commercial sector. The various regions will be responsible for arranging these meetings.
According to the NAU the future financing of the union following the phasing out of levy financing from the Meat Board was also debated in depth.
An increase in membership fees was agreed on at the NAU congress in October, but there are various options that will be investigated to ensure future financing without burdening members with increased membership fees. As soon as more clarity has been obtained about the possible financing options, the NAU members will be informed accordingly.
The union said restocking after the drought is another concern. To support farmers in this process, negotiations will be held with AgriBank and commercial banks.
ELLANIE SMIT