14 Dec 2015

 Returning 16 Namibian refugees who have been staying at Dukwi Refugee Camp in Botswana for the past 17 years arrived home on Friday (December 11) to a warm welcome by the Zambezi Regional authorities at the Ngoma Border Post in the Namibian side.

As if that was not enough, yet another gesture of welcome arrived in the form of moderate showers as the skies suddenly opened fountains of rain as the progress to welcome the long overdue returnees was in motion.

Councillor for Kabbe South, Mr John Likando in his vote of thanks remarked that it was a good omen that the returnees were arriving with divinely-spirited and truly blessed aura.

He said this was backed by African belief that, ‘he who arrives in the mist of rain, is blessed and is yet to receive more blessings from the land.’

Councillor Likando however, said the returnees came at the right time when ploughing season had just began and therefore encouraged them to actively take part in the communal endevour which was aimed at family food production.

He said he was optimistic that most of the incoming fellow citizens had abundantly acquired some labour skills needed by the country during their stay in Botswana and as such the skill should be put into good use for the benefit of the country.

For his part, the Acting Governor of Zambezi Region, formerly Caprivi Strip, Mr Beaven Munali said he was proud to say that the returnees were at liberty to join their fellow countrymen and women in enjoying the fruits of an independent Namibia and enabling and stable socio-economic development the Namibian government has created.

He however, encouraged them not to sit idle, but work hard in order to contribute to the ever-increasing demand for progressive socio-economic development in the region in particular and Namibia in general.

“On behalf of the Namibian government and the entire residents of the Zambezi Region, I would  like to extend my sincere appreciation to the government of Botswana, UNHCR Namibia and Botswana, the Namibian and Botswana Red Cross Societies for their effort made towards ensuring the safe and sound return of our brothers and sisters”, he said to a deafening applause.    

In the same breadth, Governor Munali appealed to all to welcome the returnees and assist them to integrate into society.

In his remarks, the newly appointed Namibian Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Valombola Likius said he was happy that they were receiving the returnees who came voluntarily.

He however, noted that the Namibian government would stick to the agreement that those coming back would be accordingly assisted and given building materials to construct their homes, of which part of the material were displayed to the attendants to see.    

 

A representative of the returning refugees, Mr Francis Kupulo Mambeleko said they were happy to be back home and joining the rest of the community members. He thanked Botswana government for its hospitality and further thanked the two governments and the UNHCR office for their well planned trip back home. Ends