Laura McLeod-Katjirua

Laura Veendapi McLeod-Katjirua is a Namibian politician who has been Governor of the Khomas Region since 2012 and Deputy Secretary General of SWAPO since 2012. Previously she was Governor of Omaheke Region from 2001 to 2012. She was transferred to Khomas Region by President Hifikepunye Pohamba after she was elected as Deputy Secretary General of SWAPO on December 2, 2012.

Quotes

• Out of the applications received, only two applicants were successfully allotted farming units for resettlement purposes
• The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, is supporting the drought-affected farmers by implementing a livestock support intervention of subsidised activities, such as livestock marketing, lease of grazing, fodder and transport to and from grazing areas. In this regard, a total of 156 applicants were received and processed
• The target for construction of houses under the Windhoek Housing Programme, formally the Council Housing Programme, was 60 houses. A total of 8 houses were constructed in Khomasdal to test the approach and take lessons. The remaining 52 houses were not constructed due to a lack of funds
  • Laura McLeod-Katjirua talking about the available resettled farms
• This shows us that we cannot rely on the importation of seeds for staple food crops and high-value crops from other countries. It is notable that the Seeds and Seeds Varieties Act (Act No. 23 of 2018) was indeed promulgated over five years ago, but it has not yet been gazetted into operation by the minister of agriculture, water and land reform through notice in the gazette
• The Namibian Seed Policy, which is a comprehensive framework to facilitate the advancement of a thriving and robust seed industry, emphasises the importance of seed. Seed is the most important agricultural input out of all important inputs
  • Laura McLeod-Katjirua on relying on importation of seeds for staple food crops