Justicia Shipena
The National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing has recommended that all land developed under Namibia’s Flexible Land Tenure Act remain state-owned.
It stated that occupants would be given rights of use rather than ownership through purchase.
The committee’s recommendation is part of a report presented to the National Council this week.
The report follows a visit to Rwanda in September 2024 to study urban land delivery and housing for poor and landless citizens.
“All land developed under the Flexi Land Tenure Act should remain state-owned, with occupants granted rights of use rather than ownership through purchase,” said Bennetty Busihu, chairperson of the committee.
The Flexible Land Tenure Act, Act No. 4 of 2012, was introduced to offer a simpler and more accessible land tenure system.
It runs alongside the formal freehold system and provides a secure title to people living in informal settlements or low-income housing.
The system aims to help people gain economic power through legal land rights.
In March 2020, the Oshakati Town Council became the first local authority to implement the flexible land tenure scheme.
At that event, then Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila handed over about 40 title deeds.
The committee said Rwanda’s model of coordinated urban planning and controlled land use offers important lessons.
The report said this model could help Namibia address informal settlements and improve housing delivery.
The committee also called for a National Land Use Master Plan. Busihu said this plan should involve the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and local authorities.
She said these recommendations would help stop illegal land grabbing and guide planned urban growth.
The report suggested digitising land registration systems to improve transparency and accessibility.
It also proposed flexible co-ownership housing models and state-subsidised services for informal settlements under flexible tenure.
Busihu said the government should subsidise local authorities to reduce the cost of land servicing and improve access to affordable housing.
The committee recommended setting up an independent National Land Agency to manage land and ensure better coordination among local governments.
The report follows a motion adopted by the National Council in November 2023.
The motion asked the committee to review how current housing policies help people access affordable urban land and assess the impact of the Flexible Land Tenure Act.
