Namibia country report

6.4 Livelihood trajectoriesFor the group schemes in Omaheke, only one typical trajectory was identified, this beingthe ‘welfare’ trajectory. The ‘ideal’ trajectory presented below is based on the NationalResettlement Policy (MLR 2001) and was formulated for the purpose of illustrating thegap between policy and reality.6.4.1 The ‘ideal’ trajectoryFarm workerBecomes a land reform beneficiary in a group resettlement schemeAttains self-reliance (food production or other income-generating activity/ies)According to the National Resettlement Policy (ibid.: 7), beneficiaries are “expected tobe self-reliant and self-sufficient by the fourth year except in the case of existing naturalphenomena, e.g. drought or other disasters”. In addition, “… training programmes … [are] … tofacilitate the resettled to realise their full potential in pursuing a higher level of livelihood”.The ‘ideal’ trajectory had not been realised on any of the projects visited. Beneficiariesremained dependent on government grants such as pensions or off-project income streamsfrom full-time or part-time employment (piece work), primarily in the commercial farmingsector. Also, beneficiaries received little or no training at all to “realise their full potential inpursuing a higher level of livelihood”.The fact that the ‘ideal’ trajectory had not been attained on the group schemes by the time ofthe study does not imply that it is unattainable. The ‘ideal’ trajectory has been included inthis section merely to set a benchmark from which policy-makers can assess the successof future policy implementation. The ‘ideal’ trajectory could also feature a combination ofbest practices as described in the trajectories below.6.4.2 The ‘welfare’ trajectoryThe ‘welfare’ trajectory begins with the beneficiary being employed for most of his/her lifeas a farm worker. Most beneficiaries on the group schemes sampled had worked on one ormore farms at some stage, and most conforming to the ‘welfare’ trajectory had worked onseveral farms. The next stage in the trajectory entails the loss of employment. Reasons forthis included being made redundant or being retrenched due to ill health, old age or the saleof the farm or transfer of ownership. Other common reasons for farm workers losing theirjob are disputes with employers over wages and alleged theft. In some cases, conflict withfellow farm workers led to the decision to leave a farm and face unemployment.158 ● Livelihoods after land reform: Namibia country report (2010)