INTERVIEW: /Khomanin Community’s March for Land Justice: A Stand Against Displacement

Yesterday, the /Khomanin people displayed resilience and unity as they marched approximately 15 kilometers from the outskirts of Windhoek to Parliament, determined to have their voices heard on the critical issue of land rights. This journey was not just a protest but a powerful stand against the displacement and injustices that the community has endured for generations.

The day began with the /Khomanin delegation refusing to deliver their petition at Zoo Park, as initially suggested by authorities. Instead, they insisted on taking their grievances directly to Parliament, leading to tense moments with the Namibian Police, who attempted to redirect the gathering. Despite moments of potential confrontation, the /Khomanin stood firm in their resolve.

Government representatives failed to meet the community’s expectations. Minister in the Presidency, Christine //Hoebes, was notably absent, with her office claiming they had not received an invitation. This claim was later challenged when Police Commissioner Klazen provided proof of the invite, prompting internal discussions on the communication breakdown.

Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein’s absence added to the community’s frustration. When he was reportedly “too busy” to meet with the marchers, they made their way to his office around 4 p.m., after waiting in the heat for hours at Parliament’s gates. Among those enduring the wait were elders, young people, and even the ill, underscoring the urgency of their cause.

Further frustration came when a ministry official, Mr. Mbako, initially claimed that an agreement had been reached but later refused to personally receive the petition. Instead, the ministry sent a former director of resettlement—now resettled on 7,000 hectares of land, while /Khomanin members remain landless. Community advocate Tjeja Tjari Tjatindi respectfully requested that another representative, even a lower-ranking staff member, accept the petition, highlighting the insensitivity of the official’s presence given the community’s grievances.

The events of the day underscored the /Khomanin’s frustration with government insensitivity. Authorities had at one point even suggested delivering the petition near a nightclub, a gesture the community saw as deeply disrespectful. Activist Shaun Gariseb later expressed the community’s sentiments, stating, “Land is more than just a commodity; it is the foundation of heritage, culture, and livelihood for marginalized communities like the /Khomanin. Minister Calle Schlettwein must prioritize protecting the ancestral land rights of these groups and reconsider decisions that facilitate land sales to outsiders.”

Gariseb further emphasized that the sale of ancestral lands perpetuates poverty and strips the community of its historical and cultural ties to the land. He urged Minister Schlettwein to understand the significance of these ancestral lands and engage with the /Khomanin to make decisions rooted in fairness and empathy.

This march was not only a plea for justice but a reminder that for the /Khomanin, land is far more than property—it is identity, heritage, and the future of their community.