22 Sep 2024

An agreement between Botswana and Namibia to facilitate the relocation exercise of 98 Batswana of Namibian descent represents an expression of democratic principle to respecting the will of the people, says Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi.

The Ovaherero and Ovambanderu communities voluntarily expressed interest to return to their ancestral land in 2013 and the two countries agreed to fulfil their wish, leading to a warm reception by Namibia officials on Friday at Dobe Border Post, in Otjozondjjupa region.

Handing over the group on behalf of government, Ms Mokgethi appreciated that the exercise did not only fulfill the returnees’ wishes but also fulfilled the SADC protocol on the facilitation of movement of persons.

She said Botswana and Namibia shared a strong bond of friendship emanating from deep rooted historical and family ties.

The minister said the use of national identity cards for cross border travel, launch of One Stop Border Post at Mamuno as well as turning the post into a 24-hour facility deserved commendation as they solidified the friendship of the two countries.

“This initiative underlines the need for us to forge a stronger partnership for a well-integrated cooperation. It is pleasing that the two countries have again worked tirelessly to facilitate the relocation. This is indeed symbolic of the affinity and strong bond of friendship between our countries and people which is deeply rooted in our common history, cultural heritage, shared values and vision,” said Ms Mokgethi.

The repatriation exercise she said was celebration of yet another milestone in the trajectory of the long standing excellent bilateral relations.

The minister  also paid tribute to Namibia government  for allowing the people who had stayed long in Botswana to have made a voluntary choice of returning to their ancestral land.

She said Botswana was honoured to have hosted hardworking and law abiding community of the descendants of Namibian, who contributed immensely to the country’s development.

Ms Mokgethi was of the view that they would continue to invest that immeasurable wealth of knowledge and experience in Namibia for productive outcomes that would benefit both countries.

“To the people relocating today, as you have lived part of your lives with us and with some of your relatives still residing in Botswana, you are home away from home. This important exercise does not cut the ties that the two nations built from time immemorial. I imagine there is sadness and anxiety of leaving your other relatives behind, community and country you called home. I, however, trust that you will continue to visit and nurture these relationships,” said Ms Mokgethi.

The minister also recognised and appreciated Kgosi Tawana Moremi and by extension his great grandfathers who accommodated and lived with the Baherero and Ovambanderu communities from which the people relocating came from.

In his acceptance speech, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security of Namibia, Dr Albert Kawana thanked Botswana government for hosting their compatriots during an hour of need as they were disposed of their land and property due to genocide during 1904-1908.

The Namibia nation, he said was unconditionally demanding an apology for that dark history as well as restorative justice by means of reparation in order to heal.

However, he appreciated that Botswana provided shelter to the Namibian community because they regarded them as brothers and sisters.

Dr Kawana further assured them that government would do everything possible to in order to ensure that the needs which were accorded to their fellow citizens were also extended to them citing that would be provided with the national documents such as identity cards and passports for easy mobility within and beyond Namibia.

The government, he said also expected the repatriated citizens to familiarise themselves with the laws of Namibia and abide to them as they had been doing in Botswana. ends