For nearly a century, it has snaked across the sun-baked earth of Namibia, a stark, physical manifestation of a divided nation. The veterinary cordon fence, or the dreaded ‘Red Line’ as it’s known here, a relic of German colonial rule designed to halt a cattle plague, has morphed into something far more insidious: an economic Berlin Wall, cleaving the north from the south and choking the aspirations of countless Namibian farmers.
Now, however, the simmering discontent over this archaic barrier is boiling over. Despite a recent court setback for outspoken activist-turned-parliamentarian Job Amupanda, who passionately argued for its dismantling, the winds of change appear to be stirring within the Namibian parliament. A growing chorus of voices is demanding the removal of this outdated vestige of a painful past, insisting that safeguarding lucrative beef export markets should not come at the cost of equitable economic participation for all Namibians.
“Thirty years of independence is too much. How many years do we want to wait?” thundered Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete during a heated parliamentary debate. His frustration, palpable and shared by many, underscores the deep-seated resentment felt by those north of the line, who are effectively barred from accessing the premium beef markets enjoyed by their southern counterparts.
Ithete dismissed the enduring fear of foot and mouth disease, the very ailment the Red Line was erected to prevent. “We just speak of foot and mouth disease, which does not kill us,” he asserted, his voice laced with exasperation. “The same meat Europeans eat in the south is the same they consume when they go to northern Namibia.”
The irony is not lost on observers. While foot and mouth disease is indeed endemic in the northern regions, largely due to the free movement of buffalo in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZATFCA), where Namibia shares borders with four other nations, outbreaks are not unique to the continent. Case studies from agricultural powerhouses like India and even Germany, which recently reported an outbreak, demonstrate that beef exports can continue with stringent veterinary controls in place.
“We are exporting the same meat to other countries. Why are people not dying?” Ithete challenged, his logic seemingly irrefutable to many. “We should remove that [Red Line] fence and see whether we will die and see whether we will find a market.”
His vision is not one of reckless abandonment but of a modern, risk-managed approach. He advocates for allowing livestock movement with proper health certifications and recent veterinary checks during disease-free periods. A robust tracing system and temporary health checkpoints, similar to those already in place south of the fence, could effectively monitor and contain any potential outbreaks.
Crucially, Ithete has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform to overhaul the current regulations, granting farmers north of the Red Line access to both domestic markets in the south and lucrative international destinations like the European Union.
The EU remains Namibia’s golden goose when it comes to beef, with exports reaching a staggering 1.26 billion Namibian Dollars (€59 million) in 2024. The beef industry as a whole is a vital cog in the Namibian economy, contributing over 5% to the nation’s GDP. Other significant markets include the US and Norway, highlighting the importance of maintaining Namibia’s reputation for quality beef.
Thinus Pretorius, President of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the voice of commercial farmers south of the Red Line, acknowledges the historical contributions of farmers from both regions. “The NAU envisions a future where all Namibian farmers have equal access to economic opportunities,” he stated, a sentiment that hints at a shifting perspective within the traditionally protective southern farming community.
However, Pretorius also cautioned against hasty decisions, emphasising the need for “careful planning” to safeguard Namibia’s hard-earned reputation in global markets. His words reflect the delicate balancing act the government faces: addressing historical inequalities while protecting a crucial economic sector.
Mac Hengari, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, appears to be walking this tightrope with a commitment to “gradually” dismantle the Red Line. He envisions empowering subsistence farmers in the north to climb the value chain and become commercial players, while simultaneously supporting existing commercial farmers to expand their global reach. “Our support should not be about maintaining the status quo,” Hengari declared, signaling a clear intention for reform.
The journey to a fence-free Namibia will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges. The 2022 foot and mouth outbreak in the northern Zambezi region serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved. The recent import ban on German meat products following their own outbreak further underscores the vigilance required to maintain international market access.
Yet, the momentum for change appears undeniable. The “apartheid of the hooves,” as some have bitterly termed the Red Line, is increasingly seen as an anachronism in a nation striving for true economic independence. The question now is not if the fence will fall, but when and how Namibia will navigate the complexities of a post-Red Line era, ensuring prosperity for all its cattle farmers, north and south.
