Zimbabwean Praise for Namibian Land Reform [View All]

[seemslikeadream]

The Namibian (Windhoek)

April 1, 2004
Posted to the web April 1, 2004

Petros Kateeue
Windhoek

NAMIBIA's approach to the land issue has received backing from neighbouring Zimbabwe whose own land reform process degenerated into lawlessness.

Deputy Speaker of Zimbabwe's parliament, Edna Madzongwe, commended Namibia for addressing the land issue early enough - "before the landless citizens' patience ran out".

In the case of Zimbabwe, according to her, the land reform process was delayed because during the first 10 years of independence the country had to follow the willing-seller, willing-buyer concept and thereafter Britain had to provide funds for the exercise.

But the former colonial master - Britain - apparently reneged on the promise.

"Because we are a poor country, we don't have money. When the British failed to honour the promise we were left with no choice but to take what is ours... which is land," the Zimbabwean legislator said in an apparent reference to her government's chaotic land expropriation.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200404010023.html