The Namibian government has announced the expansion of communal land in three regions to address grazing pressure and support livelihoods.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has acquired over 31,000 hectares of commercial farmland at a cost of over N$66 million, which will be integrated into communal areas in Otjimbingwe in the Erongo Region, Aminus in the Omaheke Region, and Ovitoto in the Otjozondjupa Region.

Minister of Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, in his motivational address, stated that the expansion aligns with resolutions from the first and second National Land Conferences, which called for the development and enlargement of communal areas to accommodate growing populations and livestock numbers.

"The majority of Namibians are living on communal land where they are deriving their livelihoods. Furthermore, slightly more than half of Namibia's national cattle herd is kept by farmers living on communal land. Given the above, you will agree with me that the grazing area in communal needs to be managed sustainably, and consequently, where congestion and resulting overgrazing are evident, measures to decongest by enlarging such communal areas are required."

Schlettwein, however, stated that the expansion of communal land is only possible when the Ministry acquires commercial farms and adds them to Schedule One of the Communal Land Reform Act of 2002.

"The ministry responded positively to the above requests by acquiring the following commercial farms with the purpose of relieving grazing pressure on communal areas. Remaining Extent of Portion A of the Farm Okongava, measuring 15,160.19. This farm will be added to the Otjimbingwe communal area. Farm Osema measuring 5374.39, this farm will be added to the Ovitoto communal area. Farm Gusinde measuring 3753.93, this farm will be added to the Ovitoto communal area. Farm Alpha, measuring 6767.6098, will be added to the Aminus communal area."

He said this move will also fulfil a directive by the late President Dr. Hage Geingob, who advocated for expanding communal areas to alleviate grazing congestion, emphasising that this initiative is a form of restorative justice, returning land to Namibians.