The removal of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF), popularly known as the red line, is enigmatic in nature, as those currently suffering from its brunt will not immediately reap positive results from its hasty removal as far as accessing lucrative beef markets are concerned.
This is according to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker and farmer, Kazeongere Tjeundo, in a recent engagement with this agency.
Tjaundo is a farmer in the Kunene Region, with his communal farming base at Ourunduuozombara, some 70 kilometres from Werda – where the red line begins.
He is one of the farmers negatively impacted by the VCF’s continued presence.
Apart from small stock, Tjeundo breeds the traditional Nguni, Afrikaner and Brahman cattle.
He believes the quality of his livestock is comparable or superior to those south of the red, should the playing field be levelled.
According to him, as farmers, they are fed up with the segregation fence, which divides Namibia into two parts.
“We are also producing meat on the other side of the fence. So our intention is also to incorporate this meat into the larger part in the south of the country,” he added, conceding that it will not happen overnight.
He explained: “The purpose is to add value. And when we remove the red line in one go, the whole market will collapse and that is not what we want to see. We are farmers and want value for our livestock.”
Instead, the politician-and-farmer suggested that the red line must be removed systematically and mooted for the erection of a fence between Namibia and Angola.
“We must also make buffer zones inside the country so that a region like Omusati cannot be affected when an outbreak is in one of the Kavango regions. Why can’t we do it just as we do with the farms here [south of red line]?” he asked.
Tjeundo’s comments come at the back of a high court case by Affirmative Repositioning leader, Job Amupanda, who wants the VCF declared unlawful and unconstitutional.
At the moment, a group under the Kaokoland Concerned Group (KCG) banner has thrown its weight behind Amupanda to see to it the red line gone.
“We will support genuine efforts and anyone in any way, shape or form, to ensure that the red line is removed,” said Rarirevi Mupya, one of the concerned residents.
KCG is composed of farmers, traditional leaders and activists in the northern parts of Kunene (formerly Kaokoland).
Source: Namibia press Agency
