11 Jul 2016

Botswana has a sound democratic governance architecture, well managed economy and low corruption rate, which is admired by many African nations.

“Be proud of what you are doing, sometimes people don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone,” said Namibian  president, Dr Hage Geingob when addressing Botswana Parliament in Gaborone yesterday.

He said he was aware that Botswana faced challenges among them poverty and unemployment of which he said he was certain the country would take head on.

President Geingob said Botswana and Namibia faced energy crisis, drought and water scarcity.

Consequently, Dr Geingob and President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama discussed ways to address the challenges.

He further stated that Botswana and Namibia’s friendship existed for many decades during the colonial period when the Namibians were under colonial oppression.

During the darkest  Namibian history, Namibians were welcomed into a  safe haven in Botswana.  “We are still welcome in Botswana, therefore I say we are one and the same people,” he said.

President Geingob said he was a refugee in Botswana when he arrived in the country for the first time in 1962, adding that at that time he  never dreamt that  one day he would lead Namibia.

He said his government had provided a dry port for Botswana so that the country could have access to the sea.

He said Namibia had provided access to the sea for landlocked countries so that they could  enjoy the benefits of  unrestricted trade.

For his part, Leader of the House and Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi said Botswana was a multi-party parliamentary democracy which respected the rule of law.

He said the present members of parliament formed the eleventh Parliament and that Botswana’s modest achievements made in economic and social spheres was a clear demonstration of continued investment in progressive democracy and good governance.

“As Parliament, we therefore have good basis for preserving and sustaining the diversity and plurality of opinions and representation, thus enriching our social values and cultural heritage,” he said.

He said Ntlo Ya Dikgosi played a pivotal role in guiding and advising Parliament on cultural matters and other issues of national importance.

Furthermore, Mr Masisi said  the co-existence of Parliament and Ntlo Ya Dikgosi had injected vibrancy to Botswana’s democratic culture.

He commended President Geingob and his government for their judicious leadership.

The Vice President said  Namibia had made remarkable socio-economic achievements because of the visionary and sound leadership demonstrated through democratic principles.

Speaker of National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe said President Geingob was the second head of state to address Botswana Parliament.

South Africa’s former Spresident, Mr Thabo Mbeki did so in 2003.

He said President Geingob’s address signified an important milestone towards strengthening collaboration between the two Parliaments of Botswana and Namibia.

She further commended President Geingob’s role in Namibia’s liberation struggle and formulation of Namibia’s Constitution. ENDS