Botswana: The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Botswana has announced that Batswana Living in South Africa can apply for the citizenship of Botswana. The announcement came after the most recent parliamentary session hosted on Wednesday.
Member of Parliament for Mahalapye West, David Tshere has expressed his support to the decision of the administration. He highlighted that Batswana of South African origin should be awarded Botswana citizenship.
“There are more Batswana staying outside than in Botswana. Over three million Batswana reside in North West Province, they are Batswana that you have to embrace with this law,” said Tshere while debating the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Over three million Batswana currently reside in North West Province, South Africa in areas such as Mahikeng, Rustenburg and other regions.
Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Annah Mokgethi says every Motswana in the region or any other Republic can apply for Botswana citizenship. The right extended to all the people who have roots in Botswana regardless of territorial boundaries.
“It is important to note that territorial boundaries are internationally recognized localities or destinations such that the people who are Batswana and found themselves under those circumstances are at liberty to make a choice of applying for Botswana citizenship if they so wish,” she said.
Mokgethi said that the law was similar to the one present in Israel. She highlighted that Jews are entitled to Israeli citizenship irrespective of territorial boundaries.
The law will come into effect after the Citizenship Amendment Bill is enacted into an Act.
The officials have shared that the members of the community are supportive of the new development in the nation. The people said that the members of the community have appreciated Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Annah Mokgethi for her work in this new development.
They said that they are looking forward to the implementation of the law at the hands of the government of Botswana.