11 Jul 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says Botswana and Nambia have a lot in common, from sharing the border line to cultures and history.  

Speaking at a state luncheon he hosted in honour of Namibian president, Dr Hage Geingob yesterday, President Khama said the two countries shared a common history and similar cultural values. 

“I must point out that a good number of Batswana residing in many parts of Botswana today are, in fact, of Namibian decent. This therefore, virtually makes us one people,” he said. 

President Khama said the visit by his Namibian counterpart served to strengthen the existing strong bonds of friendship and affinities amongst the two nations. 

“The commonalities between our two countries such as the size of our respective populations, the inter-dependence of our economies, which are mainly reliant on minerals, agriculture and tourism, compel us to make concerted efforts to further deepen our collaboration for the prosperity of our two countries,” he said. 

President Khama said the sacrifices the two countries made during the quest for political freedom and equal rights had, undoubtedly, brought unity and trust among the two countries. 

“Our strong commitment to the promotion and sustenance of the fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, enables our two countries to speak with one voice on issues of common interest,” he said. 

He commended President Geingob and his predecessors for providing effective and visionary leadership for their country. 

President Khama said the prudent management of the Namibian economy has resulted with the country classified as an Upper Middle Income country. 

“Also noteworthy, is the fact that Namibia is one of the most peaceful, stable and prosperous country in Africa,” he said. 

The president said the smooth transition of power makes Namibia one of the beacons of democracy in the African continent. 

President Khama commended President Geingob for the flagship programmes he introduced since he became the president last year such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan aimed at eradicating poverty. 

“It is my firm belief that your strong determination to consolidate the gains of your country’s Independence will indeed go a long way in improving the living standards of your people,” he said. 

President Khama said the bilateral cooperation between Namibia and Botswana had been steadily improving over the years. 

This, he said, has been made possible by increased collaboration through the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security. 

“Since these bilateral mechanisms have proved useful in strengthening our bilateral cooperation, we should thus ensure that they continue to operate effectively in order to achieve tangible results for the benefit of our peoples,” he said. 

President Khama said the people of Botswana would forever remain grateful to the Namibian people for their benevolence in availing the land for the Dry Port on a lease basis. He said the Dry Port would serve as an important economic trade route for reaching out to international markets. 

However, he said the optimal value of the Dry Port would not be derived with the existence of the Trans-Kalahari railway line linking Botswana with Namibia. 

“Thus, the construction of the railway line connecting parts of Botswana with the Walvis Bay Port will facilitate greater interaction and thus promote regional trade,” he said. 

President Khama called on officials from the two countries to ensure that these critical projects together with the establishment of a One-Stop-Border Post were expeditiously implemented. 

Talking about Southern African Development Community (SADC), he said although the region remains relatively peaceful and stable, there were challenges such as the drought caused by prolonged dry spells and floods. He said high levels of poverty, food insecurity and inadequate electricity supply continue to haunt people in SADC calling for collective efforts to find durable solutions. 

President Khama, as the SADC chairman, has called ministerial workshops to brainstorm and exchange ideas on how to deal with the challenges. He said the recommendations at the workshops would be very useful in reinforcing the existing strategies of the development of new ones in order to curb the identified challenges. 

President Khama extended an invitation to his counterpart to join Batswana when they celebrate 50 years of independence in September this year. 

Dr Geingob  said he was pleased to return to Botswana after staying in the country in the 1960s as a refugee. 

He said he was further pleased that his first state visit was to Botswana.  ENDS