Masisi, Geingob dreamt of a borderless society

Spira Tlhankane | Sunday March 17, 2024 21:08

Speaking during the late Namibian President Hage Geingob’s memorial service this week, Masisi declared Namibia as a true friend of Botswana and a good neighbour. Masisi and Geingob, who died last month, formalised the use of ID (Omang) as a travel document last year to facilitate free movement.

“Geingob and I established an ambiance and pattern, whose ultimate objective could, hopefully one day, result in the elimination of the border between our two countries.

Namibia is a good neighbour and President Geingob has, throughout his lifelong quest and efforts to build this wonderful country, added value to the neighbourhood, a neighbourhood we in Botswana are resolute to continue embracing ceaselessly with you President Mbumba at the helm and well beyond our terms of service,” Masisi said during the memorial service which was attended by the recently inaugurated Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba.

Masisi emphasised that Botswana mattered so much to Geingob and his fellow compatriots who had to undertake the gruelling and risky journey in pursuit of freedom. He indicated that the late President Geingob had so much affinity and attachment to Botswana in his fleeting time here on earth.

Speaking of friends, for his part Mbumba said the fact that Masisi was the first Head of State and government to travel to Namibia within 48 hours, to comfort Namibians after Geingob’s passing, is deeply appreciated by Namibians. “They demonstrate the solid bond of friendship that exist between our two nations and are a testament of the special friendship that you forged with your dear elder brother, President Geingob,” he added.

He said Botswana was indeed a fitting place for the solemn memorial. President Mbumba pointed out that it is in Botswana where Geingob started his journey into exile as a South Western People’s Organisation (SWAPO) freedom fighter in December 1962. “President Masisi, you forged a remarkable and brotherly relationship with an exceptional Namibian, HE Dr Geingob, a leader who symbolised unity, dedication and care for fellow human beings. As his Vice President for over six years, I can assure you that Dr Geingob was proud of his special friendship with you,” Mbumba told Masisi. President Mbumba added that as Pan-Africanists, Masisi had a lot in common as they dreamt of a borderless society. Mbumba pointed out that the duo had many dreams for Namibia and Botswana and realised a big one when they launched the use of Identity Documents (IDs) as travel documents between Namibia and Botswana at the Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno Border Post on February, 24 2023. “That ground-breaking initiative is facilitating trade in goods and services, including the movement of people along the common border,” he said.

“As we mourn the passing of President Geingob, we must emulate and celebrate the values of good neighbourliness and unity he championed. Let us draw inspiration from his exemplary legacy as we continue the journey towards a better future for the people of Botswana and Namibia,” he concluded. When it comes to Botswana and Namibia’s dream of a borderless society, pursuant to the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 on the free movement of people in the continent, the PAN African Forum for Migration, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) initiative, Botswana continues to explore opportunities to facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services.

“Our one strategic move to enable and operationalise the above initiatives is to use the National Identity card/Omang as a travel document in bilateral arrangements with SADC countries, which are amenable to the concept,” Labour and Home Affairs, minister Anna Mokgethi, previously said. She said the use of the ID as a travel document in Botswana emanates from the desire to facilitate free trade, movement of people, goods and services in line with the aspiration of ACFTA. She said as a nation, Botswana needs to leverage on free, orderly, secure and regular movement of people within the region to facilitate the country’s economic growth.

“The African Agenda 2063, the Africa we want has identified free movement of Africans as a strategic pillar that harnesses and enhances economic growth. Botswana is continually exploring options and possibilities of facilitating free movement through the use of the national identity card as a document for travel. The current arrangement between Botswana and Namibia, launched in February this year, is living up to expectations,” Mokgethi said.