The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has registered 46 stateless Namibian nationals at the Omitara settlement in the Omaheke Region.
Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security Minister Dr Albert Kawana said at the handing over of the identification documents that the ministry strives to serve as many people as possible and that being stateless prevents people from accessing much-needed services.
"After our bitter struggle, you are entitled to reap and benefit from the fruits of our independence, and in order to benefit, you should have national documents. For example, our national ID cards, according to our law, are issued to our nationals who turn 16 years old."
The minister applauded nbc News for being on the ground and unearthing stateless people within the country's borders.
Recently, the national broadcaster aired stories of stateless people, including pensioners from the Omitara settlement who have lived in the country for decades.
"Let me take this opportunity really to thank nbc for airing this story because the function of our journalists, particularly the mandate of nbc is to inform, entertain, and educate, so here they informed us, so I can say thank you very much, nbc."
Okorukambe Councillor Rocco Nguvauva welcomed the initiative by the ministry to bring services closer to communities that often find it difficult to travel to nearby towns to acquire national documents.
"People don't earn a cent; they don't work; they're just here; it's so difficult for them to even go to your ministry offices, even in Gobabis or Windhoek, and get those identification cards."
A pensioner, Harubi Muhenje, has longed for her documentation and is glad that soon she will benefit from the government's social grant.
"I have been struggling and wondering when I'm going to be granted an opportunity to go register as a pensioner like others, and finally now I'm going to get my ID card and go for registration."
The ministry's outreach was also welcomed by traditional leaders at Omitara.
The Omitara settlement has approximately 3,000 inhabitants.