For a variety of reasons, Botswana is playing host to a number of expatriates. Some came here as investors while others were recruited by government agencies or the private sector. But for whatever the pull or push factors that brought foreign nationals to our shores, it must be borne in mind that the country benefits from their contributions. Of late there has been a raging debate on what national services and provisions should be extended to foreigners living in Botswana. This is not a new debate as it has been debated and it keeps cropping up in other places including the developed countries like the United States of America.
There are those who are of the view that since expatriates came to Botswana on a mission that was found worthwhile by the government and potential employers, they should be allowed to enjoy basic services that are ordinarily extended to Batswana. This debate has been given impetus by a consultancy that was handed to the High Level Consultative National Council. Among other things, the report is said to have recommended the right to health and medical services. Ever since government decided to discontinue free medical service to non-Batswana, there has been a concern in some quarters that government was too harsh in its action.
