COMING HOME: Almost 100 Batswana of Namibian descent will be welcomed back to the country on Friday. Photo: Contributed
COMING HOME: Almost 100 Batswana of Namibian descent will be welcomed back to the country on Friday. Photo: Contributed

Over N$58m for farms for Batswana repatriates

Jemima Beukes
A group of Batswana of Namibian descent will be repatriated and welcomed back to the country on Friday, following a repatriation process between Namibia and Botswana that started in 2013.

In a statement issued yesterday, the government said to date, about 100 Batswana have registered for repatriation - 98 individuals representing 49 households.

“In preparation for their arrival, the ministry of agriculture, water and land reform has secured a 21-hectare plot to serve as a reception area in Gam. Additionally, 245 807 hectares communal grazing land known as Otjipaheua has been developed to the west of Gam in collaboration with the Kambazembi Traditional Authority for grazing purposes,” the statement read.

It was also noted that the ministry has invested in infrastructure development, including drilling boreholes, installing water tanks and solar lights and constructing animal-handling facilities in the area.

Additionally, the government acquired five commercial farms in the Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Hardap regions with a combined area of 23 054 hectares, at a cost of N$58 million.

“Upon their return, the Batswana of Namibian descent will be provided with national identity documents and their children enrolled in government schools. To facilitate their resettlement, Cabinet has granted exemption on value-added tax (VAT) for personal and household goods and environmental levies for 25 motor vehicles,” the statement read.



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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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