The Otjinene Constituency Councillor, Eben-Ezer Kauapirura, has called on farming communities in the constituency to support and rally behind the new leadership of the Otjinene Farmers Association.

Kauapirura made the remarks during an exclusive interview with NBC News in Otjinene.
He said farmers' associations remain key stakeholders in agricultural development.

He noted that through his office, efforts were made to facilitate the long-awaited congress, where new leaders were elected to run the affairs of the association.

Kauapirura stressed that it is now time for farmers to rally behind the new leadership to ensure that it performs effectively and supports farming communities.

"When I took over as the Otjinene Constituency Councillor, I realised that there was an expectation for the Farmers Association to have a congress, which was long overdue. We engaged the Traditional Authority as well as the former leadership of the Otjinene Farmers Association, and we finally reached an agreement. The date was set for 05 September, and the congress took place. We all know that every congress has mixed feelings."

A concerned farmer, Fantakie Karipose, indicated that farmers expected a comprehensive report from the previous leadership on the association's performance.

However, Karipose added that the congress did not provide that platform, as members were informed that the meeting was primarily intended to elect new leadership.

He and other concerned farmers are therefore calling for another congress to provide a comprehensive operational report.

"We were informed that this congress was only about electing new leadership and that the previous group had spent more than 18 years as leaders. Therefore, we expected a comprehensive report, but we did not get one. There was also no constitution to guide this new leadership. We have raised all these questions with the relevant key stakeholders, but we did not receive concrete answers. There are also issues such as old buildings that are being rented out, which belong to the association, among other matters that we need to hear more about."

Kauapirura acknowledged that concerns and differing views often emerge after a congress.

He said his office will engage all relevant stakeholders, including traditional leaders, to address the concerns and help strengthen relations within the association.

“We all know that every doubt has a meaning, whether it is about how or why you are doubting. So, definitely, we need to raise these concerns with the Regional Council office and the Traditional Authorities so that they can sit down and address them with the new leadership. Then we can move forward, create a new relationship with the new leadership and harmonise the farming community in our area."

The Otjinene Farmers Association has more than 500 registered members.