- 98 Ovaherero, Ovabanderu from North West & Okavango relocate to Namibia
- The individuals were drawn from 49 households, many of whom were born and lived in Botswana for generations
- Phase 2 of the relocation will be of those from Ghanzi and Charleshill districts
- Excited Repatriation Committee says it has been a hectic 11 year-long process
Following a prolonged process, 98 Batswana of Namibian decent will finally be relocated back to their homeland (Namibia) today, Friday – September 20th, 2024.
After they were forcibly displaced from Namibia to Botswana by the wars of occupation in the early 1990s, the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu have long declared their interest to relocate back home, but to their frustration the process has been slow. This as several intergovernmental consultation meetings had to be held to work out the modalities of the repatriation.
The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has since confirmed in a statement that this morning (Friday) a pivotal and historic relocation will take place as governments of both countries will come together to facilitate the relocation of approximately 98 Batswana of Namibian decent from Botswana back to Namibia.
“These individuals, where drawn from 49 households, many of whom were born and lived in Botswana for generations, will cross into Namibia through the Dobe Boarder Post, situated in the north-west region of Botswana,” reads the statement by permanent secretary in the ministry, Jimmy Opelo.
Opelo says the event which will take place on the Namibian side of Dobe Boarder Post and graced by respective ministers of both countries will mark not just a relocation, but a poignant homecoming for families long separated from their ancestral land.
According to him, the relocation is being implemented in phases with phase 1 having prioritised facilitating individuals from the North West and the Okavango districts while phase 2 will see communities from Ghanzi and Charleshill districts being assisted with their livestock on dates to be determined.
“This pragmatic decision considers Namibia’s animal health legislation, which prohibits the relocation of cloven-hooved animals from Botswana’s foot and mouth disease red zone.”
This development comes years after former president of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma and that of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire agreed during a state visit that time has come for these communities to reclaim their ancestral ties and relocate to Namibia.
Today’s relocation follows after two voluntary group relocations that occurred in 1992-1994 and in August 1996 that saw the resettlement of 1106 individuals back to their homeland.
In an interview, jubilant Justice Muinjo who is the chairman of the Repatriation Committee said they are more than excited to be finally relocating back to their homeland after several setbacks. “It has been a hectic process for over 11 years but God has finally answered to our prayers, “said Muinjo who was already in Nokaneng to prepare for the big day but assuring that all is set.
He stressed that the 98 individuals are the total number of those who have shown interest to relocate from the North West and Okavango districts. Muinjo emphasised that the Namibian government has made proper arrangements to welcome them back such as to where they will be officially welcomed.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has said the agreement between Botswana and Namibia to facilitate this relocation exemplifies both nations ‘commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu communities while fulfilling the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement Persons, and integral part of Botswana migration policy.
“Moreover, this relocation initiative underscores the exemplary relations and friendship between Botswana and Namibia, characterised by strong collaboration in various aspects of human development.”
