98 Batswana of Namibian descent will return home this Friday. The group, who will be accompanied by four ministers from Botswana, will be formally received at the Dobe Border Post.
Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, along with other government officials, will also be present.
In his address in the National Assembly, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, stated that the government has completed all necessary documentation for the returnees, many of whom have voluntarily opted to accept Namibian citizenship.
Additionally, the government has prepared resettlement areas, including land near Gam in collaboration with traditional authorities, and has acquired farms for those interested in agricultural resettlement.
"You will recall that this was a long process through which we granted citizenship to Namibians who were living in Botswana due to the genocidal actions of the German colonial regime. It has been a lengthy process where we arranged the necessary documentation for these people. They, of course, voluntarily chose whether to accept citizenship, and we have provided the necessary papers to all those who requested them. I believe this is a crucial step, as we have now started to fulfil our promise to bring our people back home. We also want to thank the Botswana government for their assistance, coordination, and cooperation in facilitating the issuing of papers and the renouncing of their original citizenship so that we could legalise this process."
The National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) MP Joseph Kauandenge commended the government's efforts but urged the authorities to ensure that the returnees are fully integrated into society and are issued with national identity documents.
"You remember that those who returned earlier faced challenges with birth certificates and IDs. They were unable to access the social services we have in this country. I hope that, for those arriving now, all these amenities have been put in place, and once they come, they will be fully integrated into our society. They must receive their birth certificates and IDs. It's just unfortunate that voter registration has already passed, as I'm sure many would have voted."