Khama addresses Geingob
Ian Khama | Wednesday July 13, 2016 15:34
To be precise, you lived amongst us during the period 1963-1964, when you served as Assistant SWAPO Representative in Botswana. This was at a time when apartheid and colonialism reigned supreme in the Southern African region.
Your presence here will evoke in us all those memories of how your personal sacrifices and those of your organisation then contributed to the independence of your nation, Namibia. We are therefore delighted to receive you back in Botswana, and this time as the President of the Republic of Namibia, a country we regard as a strategic partner in development.
Your visit epitomises the importance we both attach to the need to enhance and broaden the scope of our bilateral relations, which happily subsist between our two nations.
Not only does Botswana share a common border with Namibia, but our two countries also share 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 descent. This therefore, virtually makes us one people.
Your visit, Your Excellency, will thus further serve to strengthen the existing strong bonds of friendship and affinities among our peoples.
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. The ultimate sacrifices that our countries made during the quest for political freedom and equal rights have, undoubtedly, brought unity and trust among our people.
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.
Let me take this opportunity to commend you and your predecessors for providing effective and visionary leadership for your country. The prudent management of the economy has resulted in Namibia being classified as an Upper Middle Income country. These sterling efforts clearly deserve our commendation.
Also noteworthy, is the fact that Namibia is one of the most peaceful, stable and prosperous countries in Africa. The smooth transition of power, which has so far stood the test of time, makes Namibia one of the true beacons of democracy on our continent.
Since your assumption of the Presidency last year, we have witnessed, with great admiration, unrelenting efforts geared towards advancing the socio-economic transformation process in your country. The flagship programmes that you have embarked upon such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which is aimed at eradicating poverty, is indeed a step in the right direction.
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 standard of your people.
It is encouraging to note that the bilateral cooperation between Namibia and Botswana has been steadily improving over the years.
This has been made possible by increased collaboration through the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defense 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.
One of the priority areas of strategic importance to our development efforts relates to the development of a Dry Port facility in Walvis Bay. Although the project is at an advanced stage, we need to ensure that it operates optimally in order to enhance trade relations between our two countries and regionally. The Port will also serve as an important economic trade route for reaching out to the international markets.
Botswana shall, forever, remain grateful to the Namibian people for their benevolence in availing this piece of land, on a lease basis, for development of the Port. I must, however, underscore the fact that the optimal value of the Dry Port will not be derived without 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 further promote regional trade.
I therefore, wish to urge our officials to ensure that these critical projects, together with the establishment of a One-Stop-Border Post, are expeditiously implemented.
Although the SADC region remains relatively peaceful and stable, we however, still continue to experience some challenges that threaten to undo the collective gains we have made thus far. We are currently experiencing the worst drought situation as a result of prolonged dry spells and contrastingly debilitating floods as well. High levels of poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate electricity supply continue to haunt us. These critical challenges, thus, compel us to step up our collective efforts aimed at finding durable solutions.
It is for this reason that during Botswana’s Chairmanship of our regional organisation, we found it fitting to convene Ministerial Workshops for us to brainstorm and exchange ideas on how we could effectively deal with these persistent challenges. I am pleased that we have successfully conducted all the three workshops on Poverty Eradication and Food Security; Water and Energy Crisis, as well as Illegal Trade in Wildlife. I shall soon also launch the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal.
The recommendations made at these workshops will be very useful in reinforcing the existing strategies or the development of new ones in order to curb the identified challenges.
Your Excellency, since I was honoured to be your guest at the celebrations marking Namibia’s twenty-fifth Anniversary of Independence in March 2015, I wish to reciprocate this kind gesture by once again extending an invitation to you to join us in September this year when we celebrate Botswana’s fiftieth Anniversary of Independence. In conclusion, I wish to express, once again, my sincere gratitude to you, Your Excellency, for honouring us with your visit. I am confident that with the continued close cooperation, we will achieve a lot more for the benefit of our countries and people.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
May I now request you to rise and join me in drinking a toast to:
* His Excellency Dr. Hage Godfrey Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia;
* the continued friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Namibia and Botswana; and
* to international peace and security.
Pula!!!