20 Sep 2020

Tawana Land Board secretary, Ms Neo Mothobi, says through the livestock water point verification survey, 1 500 water points have been identified in Ngamiland District.

The land board secretary said this when updating councillors on the survey’s findings in Maun recently.

 The survey intended to compile and document a comprehensive inventory of all allocated livestock water points in the district.

The land board had long suspended allocation and application of new livestock boreholes to pave way for the study since the public had been calling for lifting of the allocation.

However, Ms Mothobi pointed out that the survey had revealed that 48 per cent of the boreholes were equipped and operational while the remaining 52 per cent were either dry, abandoned, collapsed, sealed or unequipped.

She also noted that the survey had identified hand dug wells, which were the most common water points’ type in the district, adding that their distribution showed high density in the Sehithwa area particularly around Lake Ngami.

The study also indicated that the western part of Tsodilo that covered areas of Nxaunxau to the northern Botswana/Namibia border was characterised by a large number of abandoned homesteads and wells that were previously owned by the Baherero people who repatriated to Namibia.

Since most of the wells remained unused, she said some individuals in the area claimed to have inherited some from those who repatriated adding that it was unfortunate as the claims could not be verified or substantiated by such individuals.

 Ms Mothobi said the land board would further assess the land, to identify new livestock water points and advertise them prior to allocation, stating that the assessment must be subjected to existing land use plans and also to take into account the requirements of the Tawana Land Policy.

The board, she said, would indefinitely cease receiving of applications for new livestock water points in the Tawana Land Board jurisdiction areas.

 “This is due to the fact that the areas have been assessed and found to be saturated and to allow control of the remaining land by the board,” she said.

She also said the sub-land boards would consider the applications based on six kilometres radius, but where the point could be shifted to meet the said radius, the sub-land board was directed to do so.

The farmers who had undeveloped water points, she said would be requested to suspend developments and be relocated to the proposed phase 2 cattle ranches in NG5A.

The board had also resolved to relocate all allocated livestock water points in NG13 to NG11 to reduce livestock farming in the area as it is zoned for community wildlife utilization.

Ms Mothobi said they also intended to re-assess NG3 with a view of increasing land for cattle farming and that a decision would be made for allocation of phase two ranches following community consultations.

On other issues, Ms Mothobi underscored the need to ensure readily available land for investors. She stated that the government was desirous to ensure that foreign direct investment opportunities were created hence the need to reserve land.

The secretary noted that in order to make the country attractive to investors, the policy provided that suitable land and areas for investment such as commercial, industrial, tourism, agriculture, recreational and other investments be identified to relevant user ministries for allocation to investors.

The ministries, she said would monitor developments and give regular updates on the status of the investment. Ms Mothobi also stated that the land policy also necessitated provision of special purpose zones which consists of various types of development of uses which are not necessarily permanent in nature.

The zone, she said would cater for land use activities such as desert racing, freedom squares, horse racing and bike riding among others adding that the establishment of those zones would promote and allow flexibility of broader and major recreational uses and national sporting events.

Ms Mothobi also revealed that the board did some audit to identify plots not yet allocated for different uses such as ranches, boreholes and commercial plots. ENDS