18 Sep 2014

Travellers in and outside the country will have the Botswana Pride Mark souvenir stamped on their passports.

This follows collaboration between Brand Botswana and the department of immigration and citizenship in which the latter’s stamps at the ports of entry, will have the pride mark souvenir.

Launching the initiative on September 16, Minster of Trade and Industry, Mrs Dorcas Makgato-Malesu said the collaboration between the two was to promote the pride mark. She said under the initiative, travellers would have the Pride Mark stamped on their passports as they go through the ports of entry.

“The idea of placing the pride mark in all passports is to share a piece of Botswana with those from outside, a very unique and innovative way to imprint in the hearts and mind of our visitors, “she said. Hence, she challenged the department of immigration and citizenship employees at the ports of entry to be up to the challenge.

Mrs Makgato-Malesu said the country cannot expect to achieve the required levels of sustained economic growth and employment as well as bring about prosperity for its people without the continuous improvement to the quality of service offered.

The minister also added that Brand Botswana has sponsored the initiative with procurement of 258 stamps bearing the Pride Mark. Furthermore, she pointed that Brand Botswana was also in the process of visually energising the borders and airports through branding.

While the minister of Labour and Home Affairs Mr Edwin Batshu said the new immigration stamps will carry Botswana Pride mark, hence enhancing the country’s image. The minister said the government is always looking for new strategies of improving the quality of service to both citizens and visitors.

“The way we interact with visitors at our points of entry will set us apart from other countries, “he added. Mr Batshu said the major role of the immigration officers is to facilitate people into and out of the Botswana.

And in doing so, they should at all times have regard to quality customers service as a way of delighting customers. He said this will with time manifest in an increased foreign direct investment for the country.

Nevertheless, Mr Batshu expressed concern that the country still experience long queues as people come in and out of the country at some of its border post. However, he said his ministry will continue to look into ways of managing the situation and reduce waiting time as well as improve level of customer satisfaction. Ends