Namibia Workshop SANUMARC Univeristy of Namibia, Hentiesbay 3 - 5 June 2010

Presenter Biographies

THE IMPACT OF GROWING BIOFUELS ON COMMUNAL LAND IN NORTH EAST NAMIBIA

Due to climate change and the ever increasing fuel prices, there has been a need to explore alternative energy sources worldwide. Because of Africa’s water scarce climate and the continent’s large extent of supposedly 'marginal' land, Jatropha spp (a perennial oil-nut bearing tree) has been given the most attention as a potential energy source. In Namibia, the land in Kavango, Caprivi and the Maize Triangle (Tsumeb, Grootfontein and Otavi) is held to be best for Jatropha production. The maize Triangle is mostly Freehold land, hence research focused on the communal areas (Kavango and Caprivi). The presentation will focus on the impact of growing Jatropha, on communal land; specifically, the relationship between traditional authorities and state institutions (land boards) in communal land administration and land allocation for biofuel production. The presentation will also focus on the socio-economic benefits that farmers stand to gain from Jatropha, and the ‘food vs biofuel’ debate, as it is feared that Jatropha could replace the production of crops aimed at securing food for communal farmers. The presentation will also discuss contract farming as an alternative land acquisition method. It is important to ensure that the legal framework that operates in the communal arena is geared to protect the farmers from exploitation of communal resources.

The Jatropha experience demonstrates that although procedures under both the Communal Land Reform Act as well as the customary law are used to allocate land for Jatropha farming, the two are not properly geared to protect the communal farmers from exploitation by investors. The presentation will therefore also look at how the legal systems that are in place protect farmers from exploitation by Jatropha investors. The major recommendation of the study is the introduction of a National Policy for Biofuels. It is recommended that the policy will be an important tool in facilitating the farming of Jatropha in the country.

Presented by:

Ms Emilia Namwoonde matriculated from Oshigambo High School in 2003 and obtained a B. Juris from the University of Namibia in 2006. At the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007, she was an exchange student at the University of London; School of Oriental and African studies, where she did a course in comparative law. In 2008, Ms Namwoonde obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Namibia and a year later obtained a Master of Laws (cum laude) from the same university. In 2009, she completed her legal training with the board for legal education, at the Justice Training Centre.

She has worked as Windhoek Magistrates Court, as a Legal Researcher at Ueitele & Hans Legal Practitioners and a tutor at the University of Namibia. She is also a legal transcriber for Shatech Printers, customary law ascertainment project assistan at the Human Rights & Documentation Centre at UNAM and is a freelance interpreter for Ombawe Enterprises, CC. Ms Namwoonde is currently employed as a candidate Legal Practitioner at Ueitele and Hans Legal Practitioners.