23 Feb 2016

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Mr Edwin Batshu says 443 nationals of Indian origin and seven of Chinese have been granted Botswana citizenship from 1966 to date.

Responding to a question in parliament on Monday, he said applications are considered by the Citizenship Committee which is established under Section 3 of the Citizen Act. The minister said after considering applications the committee then makes recommendations to the minister for decisions and the criteria for consideration of applications are provided for by the Presidential Directive CAB. 19 (b) / 2002, which prescribes that attributes and related weights are to be provided in assessing applications for Botswana Citizenship. 

He said someone should have 40 per cent skill, 40 per cent level of investment/ value of contribution, 10 per cent spouse skills and 10 per cent of other relevant considerations including proficiency in Setswana or any other ethnic language.  “For an applicant to qualify to be awarded citizenship, they must attain a minimum score of 70 per cent,” Mr Batshu said.

The MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to state the number of nationals from India and China who have naturalised to be Batswana from 1966 to date and the criteria used to give citizenship to foreigners. Ends