{"id":80501,"date":"2024-11-13T15:42:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibian-returnees-praise-government-for-support"},"modified":"2024-11-13T15:42:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T15:42:00","slug":"namibian-returnees-praise-government-for-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibian-returnees-praise-government-for-support","title":{"rendered":"Namibian returnees praise government for support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>Namibians who recently returned from Botswana have expressed sincere gratitude to the Namibian government, and hope that more support will be extended to them at a settlement camp on the outskirts of Gam.<\/p>\n

The group of approximately 100 returnees, who fled to Botswana decades ago due to the war with colonial forces, expressed appreciation for their reception but also raised concerns about some challenges in adapting to life back home.<\/p>\n

Overall, the returnees are enthusiastic about reuniting with their homeland.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were well-received. In fact, we are very happy,\u201d one of the group leaders said with pride. \u201cThe way we were transported from the border to here was marvellous,\u201d said the team leader Justice Muinjo, who emphasised the warm welcome they received.<\/p>\n

The returnees said the government had made considerable effort to ensure they are comfortable in their new settlements, providing tents, food, and other essential items.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were given ample accommodation,\u201d he added, \u201cthough some people haven\u2019t yet received their supplies, but it\u2019s not a major problem since the government has assured us they are addressing it. The government has been doing everything right, and we\u2019ve been supplied with almost everything we need,\u201d said Muinjo.<\/p>\n

However, some logistical challenges remain, including limited dietary options and a lack of toiletries.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur only concern is the 10 kg meal provided \u2014 it doesn\u2019t last long, especially for those with children,\u201d said Muinjo, adding that their primary food source has been the mealie meal, complemented by fish and beef.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne cannot only depend on one food type. Maybe they could consider adding rice or macaroni,\u201d he suggested adding that so far servings of beef and fish provided are delicious.<\/p>\n

Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, the returnees are elated to be back on Namibian soil.<\/p>\n

Muinjo added that their return journey was motivated not by poor treatment in Botswana but by a strong connection to their homeland.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife in Botswana was good, and we weren\u2019t ill-treated. But we came back to Namibia because we love our motherland. We left here due to the war with the Germans. Now that Namibia is liberated, we wanted to return and help rebuild the country,\u201d one of the returnee leaders explained.<\/p>\n

He noted with pride that many of them had participated in the liberation struggle. \u201cIt didn\u2019t make sense to stay in Botswana when we fought so hard for this country\u2019s freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, one point of disappointment for the returnees is their inability to participate in the upcoming national elections, as voter registration closed before they arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be truthful, it feels like a disaster to us. We thought we would be part of the democratic process for the first time,\u201d another returnee lamented.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came a bit late, but maybe the government can create a supplementary register for people like us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, recent amendments to the Electoral Act mean there will be no supplementary registration for the 27 November elections, which has left some feeling their hands are \u201ctied behind their backs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe fought in the liberation struggle, and we want to be involved in all aspects of life here, including politics,\u201d the spokesperson added, emphasising the desire to fully reintegrate into Namibian society.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be true to you, we are not very happy. It\u2019s a disaster because we won\u2019t participate in the elections. We wanted to be involved for the first time,\u201d he said, visibly dejected.<\/p>\n

He said most of the returnees bring with them years of work experience from Botswana, and some younger individuals are hoping to find employment in Namibia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked for the Botswana government for 22 years,\u201d said Muinjo who previously worked for the finance ministry. \u201cBut now, we are eager for our young people here, who have qualifications, to find jobs in Namibia,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

While some of the older returnees are now retired, younger members of the group are eager to contribute to the domestic workforce.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have young people here with qualifications and experience. We hope the government will assist us in finding jobs since we\u2019re new here and don\u2019t know the system yet,\u201d one returnee said, describing how some had worked in the Botswana government before relocating. However, they are aware of the broader issue of high unemployment rates in Namibia.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnemployment is a challenge everywhere, even in developed countries. We\u2019re not expecting a perfect solution, but we are ready to join the system and contribute in any way we can,\u201d said Muinjo.<\/p>\n

Another request the returnees have is for additional support in the form of toiletries, as they currently lack these items.<\/p>\n

They also expressed a hope that the government will eventually provide livestock to help them establish their traditional livelihoods as farmers.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking at animals brings us joy as it is a part of our heritage,\u201d they said, emphasising how essential livestock is to their identity and culture. \u201cWe sold all our cattle in Botswana when we anticipated coming to Namibia soon but waiting for years has been hard on us,\u201d<\/p>\n

He described that daily life in the settlement is simple, with residents performing basic tasks like cleaning their surroundings, preparing food, and taking care of their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit boring now, but we know things will improve,\u201d said one returnee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re at your own home, there are things to do, like gardening. Here, we\u2019re adjusting,\u201d he said while smiling.<\/p>\n

He added that at the close of each day, the community gathers to share stories, reminisce, and look forward to integrating into the broader Namibian community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like Christmas day when we were children, just being here is like music to us,\u201d a returnee shared. \u201cTo see the Namibian sun, to feel like we\u2019re home it\u2019s wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Namibian government has made no specific promises about the returnees\u2019 long-term needs, such as job placement or schooling, but the group remains optimistic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been here for a month and a week, so we should give the government time. They\u2019ve brought us here well, and we\u2019re sure more support will come,\u201d another one said. The group appreciates the care taken to bring them back home safely and they are hopeful they will be fully settled in the coming months.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are extremely happy to be back in Namibia,\u201d a group member concluded. \u201cIt\u2019s too early to complain, and we\u2019re grateful for what we\u2019ve been given. We\u2019re ready to start a new life here, to contribute, and to be part of the Namibian story again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite some logistical issues, the returnees maintain a hopeful outlook. They are also eager for government to consider providing resources for their primary livelihood, namely farming.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are farmers, and we hope to start afresh here,\u201d one returnee stated, hoping that livestock support could be part of the government\u2019s plans for them.<\/p>\n

Asked about how they deal with their daily lives, Muinjo answered: \u201cIt\u2019s like Christmas every day. Just being here, looking at the sun, it\u2019s all beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they continue to settle, the repatriated group looks forward to contributing positively to the Namibian society and economy.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibians who recently returned from Botswana have expressed sincere gratitude to the Namibian government, and hope that more support will be extended to them at a settlement camp on the outskirts of Gam. The group of approximately 100 returnees, who fled to Botswana decades ago due to the war with colonial forces, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":80500,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-80501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nNamibian returnees praise government for support - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/namibian-returnees-praise-government-for-support\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Namibian returnees praise government for support\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibians who recently returned from Botswana have expressed sincere gratitude to the Namibian government, and hope that more support will be extended to them at a settlement camp on the outskirts of Gam. 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