Africa-Press – Botswana. There is no need to review current land policies, as 18-year-old citizens legally are already eligible to apply for land, acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, has said.
Responding to a parliamentary question recently, Dr Dikoloti explained that since the legal age of majority was lowered from 21 to 18 in 2010, young adults had possessed full legal competence.
“Due to the legislative amendment, everyone who is 18 years of age or older has the complete legal competence to engage into contracts and make choices on their own. This includes applying for land and engaging in any transactions involving immovable property,” he said.
Currently, he said, the waiting list had over 88 719 applicants who were between the ages of 18 and 21 at the time of their application.
The Minister was responding to questions raised by Boteti West MP, Mr Sam Digwa, who challenged the exclusion of 18-year-olds from economic empowerment opportunities.
Mr Digwa argued that since turning 18 confers full civic responsibilities, including the right to vote, denying access to land applications would undermine the constitutional rights and dignity of young adults.
He thus urged the ministry to align its land allocation policies with the legal age of majority to ensure housing and economic security for the youth.
