20 Aug 2024

Members of Parliament have hailed the Citizenship Amendment Bill as a piece of legislation that will go a long way in normalising the citizenship of many who have been stateless.

Contributing to the debate on the Bill recently, Takatokwane MP, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe supported the move to amend the Citizenship Act, saying issues relating to attaining citizenship had been a thorn in the flesh to many over the years, as one had to denounce citizenship of their country of origin in order to attain that of Botswana.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile hailed the Bill as a legislation that focused on removing barriers that had negatively impacted on the lives of the people who could have long enjoyed the benefits that came with one having dual citizenship.

Mr Kekgonegile said the Bill must pass and be put into action as a matter of urgency.

Kgalagadi South MP, Mr Sam Brooks said the Bill was one of the amendment to the legislation that had been long awaited, adding it was in line with advancing positive change.

Mr Brooks said even though it had never been wrong to marry someone from another nation, the law had been an impediment to children who were born from such relationships.

He said having dual citizenship was a welcome development because the country had been losing out as some people who had the potential to drive the economy were denied any opportunity to do so.

Mr Brooks argued that a foreign national who was married to a Motswana should be allowed to neutralise their citizenship immediately.

However, the MP said the law must be cautious of some individuals who would use the inter-marriage as gateway into the country only to engage in some dubious acts.

Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, MP for Tati East, said the Bill was drafted after a comprehensive review to ensure that it covered all teething issues that were in place.

Dr Letsholathebe also the Minister for Education and Skills Development said the Bill was in line with digitalisation and aligning with the requirements of living in a global village.

However, he said even though the little population was not working towards growing the economy, it was important to have a mindset change in line with African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement as well as luring qualified personnel who would go a long way in growing and diversifying the economy.

“As the country is moving up the gradient of the economy, it is important to be cautious, as the Bill is likely to attract more people into the country, using any other means possible to make them eligible to acquire dual citizenship,” he said.

He added that the move to have dual citizenship must also be used to attract potential investors as well as expertise in various fields where the country was lacking.

MP for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang said there were a lot of inter-marriages in communities living along the border as well as those who were working in the mines, who had over the years been suffering as they could not get the Botswana citizenship.

“Intelligent children whose parents have the ability to migrate have abandoned the country and are now doing wonders to the economy of other nations,” he argued.

He added that one should not wait forever to get dual citizenship as long as they had submitted all the required documents.

Gaborone Central legislator, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healy concurred with other legislators that challenges relating to citizenship had impacted heavily on the lives of many. Mr Mangwegape-Healy said women who were patriotic on issues relating to citizenship ended up forming an association by the name Emang Basadi to deal with human rights issues.

He said the Bazezuru community was among the many who were affected by issues relating to dual citizenship.

“The Bill must also allow foreign citizens who are seeking Botswana citizenship to also not denounce their original citizenship,” he said.

Subsequently, Parliament approved the Bill and is set to interrogate it further at committee stage at a later date. ENDS