Africa-Press – Botswana. President Advocate Duma Boko joined Namibians in celebrating history of elevating the first woman in the SADC region to the highest office in the land.
Botswana and its western side neighbour was looking with renewed hope to a new era in bilateral cooperation. In an interview ahead of the combined festivities of the inauguration of president elect, Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and 35th independence celebrations, Minister for International Relations Dr Phenyo Butale confirmed President Boko’s attendance and said it was in a way to foster the already good cooperation between the two countries.
Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah made history by being elected Namibia’s first female president. The 72 year-old won 57 per cent of the vote. She steadily rose to power after establishing herself as one of the most prominent women in Namibia politics. She went into exile and later joined post-independence SWAPO run government.
Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah is a renowned advocate for women empowerment and has pushed for the Combating of Domestic Violence Act in 2002 in Namibia. She became vice president last year succeeding Dr Nangolo Mbumba after the death of Dr Hage Geingob.
Botswana and Namibia share a symbiotic relation of a common people and heritage spanning over centuries. They share a borderline well over 1 500km with significant economic, diplomatic, defence and security ties among others. The diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1990. The two countries have enjoyed cordial relationships with a number of high level visits post-independence.
Namibia’s founding president, the late Dr Sam Nujoma first touched base with Botswana in 1960 having left his native nation fleeing uprisings and seeking refuge in Botswana.
Botswana’s former president, Lt Gen Khama led the Botswana delegation early this month to pay their last respects when the Namibian founding president was laid to rest at the Heroes Acre.
Dr Nujoma’s successor and former president, Hifikepunye Pohamba also held official visits to Botswana amongst them officially opening Bokamoso Private Hospital, a P700 million health facility conceptualised in 2003. The hospital was considered a remarkable milestone in the participation of the private sector in the health care industry in Botswana.
When the late Namibian third president, Dr Geingob took over, he continued where his predecessors left off deepening the ties with high level visits. It was during his administration that Botswana strengthened ties in among others, shared water resources, transport and communications, tourism development and convening of bilateral mechanisms such as joint permanent commission on cooperation and defence and security.
At the time of Dr Geingob’s passing incumbent president, Dr Mbumba stepped up as head of state and immediately commended Botswana as a good neighbor. He recognised how his predecessor and Botswana former President Dr Masisi had provided through their personal friendship an opportunity for the two countries to foster good relations.
Historian, Dr Jeff Ramsay said Botswana and Namibia had long been drawn together by common historical circumstances and geographical proximity. He said one notable milestone in the shared struggle occurred in 1946.
“At the time dikgosi of Bechuanaland led by Kgosi Tshekedi, in an alliance with Windhoek based Ovaherero council had come together to block South Africa’s attempt to annex Namibia. United Nations successfully blocked the annexation attempts,” said Dr Ramsay. Dr Ramsay said the 1885-90 British occupation of Bechuanaland was a strategic response to the 1884-90 German drive into Namibia.
Journalist, Mr Kabo Garechaba is of the view that Namibia has made history in the SADC region by having its ruling party, SWAPO nominate Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah as its candidate for the 2024 general elections.
“This nomination makes Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah the first female democratically elected president in the region. While the region has seen female leaders in the past, such as Ms Joyce Banda in Malawi who ascended to the presidency following the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika and the current leadership of Tanzania under president Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office after the passing of John Pombe Magufuli, Namibia stands out for directly electing a female leader from within its political party structure to national office,” added Mr Garechaba.
He said Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah was a political veteran with deep roots in the liberation struggle, having held significant positions, including that of prime minister after independence. He said President Boko’s attendance at her inauguration would further reinforce the already strong bilateral relations between Namibia and Botswana.
“This visit presents President Boko’s administration with an invaluable opportunity, as Namibia offers countless prospects for Botswana to explore,” he said.
One key area for enhanced cooperation is the Trans-Kalahari Corridor along with the potential advantages that could arise if Botswana fully utilised the dry port at Walvis Bay. Mr Garechaba added that the meeting between the two new leaders would allow them to discuss how they could collaborate and find common ground on both regional and global issues.
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