17 Sep 2024

The special relationship between Botswana and Namibia can be the bedrock for improved economic fortunes and yield long term political benefit for the two states, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Welcoming the outgoing Namibia High Commissioner, Ambassador Asser Kapere, who had paid a farewell courtesy call to the Office of the President yesterday, President Masisi said Botswana and Namibia had much to benefit from the firm cooperation that had been solidified over the past few years.

“We are better together than apart, our combined strength gives us a bigger population and trading market, and we have better prospects for the economy, food security or the military. We should be able to complement each other; Namibia has the fish, we may have what Namibia doesn’t and we could use that comparative advantage to complement each other,” Dr Masisi said.

Complimenting Ambassador Kapere, who completes his six-year tenure at the end of September, for his role in ensuring that the two countries cemented ties, Dr Masisi said more should still be done to build on that foundation.

“You have been an important glue that kept us together, the role played by a High Commissioner as representative of a head of state should never be underestimated. We cherish you, and whoever comes in should also carry forward the momentum, for we are stronger together,” the President said.

He added that nation states were better served by expanding their energy towards mutually beneficial cooperation as opposed to conflict, and expressed his confidence that Botswana and Namibia have the shared values and historical geopolitical circumstances that formed a solid base for enhanced cooperation.

Ambassador Kapere said he had been privileged to serve at a point in history when relations between the two nations flourished, citing the establishment of a Bi-National Commission, the decision for the two nations’ citizens to use identity cards (IDs) as opposed to passports to cross border posts between the countries among others.

“My colleague coming in will have it hard because we have already taken the relationship and built it up to the ceiling. I was pleased to note that the one-stop border post at Mamuno is being completed, and the Trans-Kalahari railway project will be the next to enhance our ties,” Ambassador Kapere said.

He added that the relationship between President Masisi and former Namibia President, the late Mr Hage Geingob had been instrumental in fostering ‘extraordinary relations’ between the two nations, and expressed the belief that these ties would last as a testament to their political legacy.  ends