Economist Robin Sherbourne this week said an increase in the number of Namibians seeking asylum in other countries is a reflection of poor domestic economic performance.
“Claims have been made that people are being persecuted here, which does not ring a true reflection of what we know about this country. And it was getting to the stage where people were well rehearsed when they arrived in the United Kingdom, had all the right documents, but this is a reflection that people are struggling to find opportunities in Namibia,” said the economist this week while shedding light on local economic developments.
During his domestic economic update, Sherbourne, the author of ‘Guide to the Namibian Economy’, which is in its fifth edition, focused on policy developments, challenges and the future outlook.
According to the Bank of Namibia, the domestic economy is estimated to grow by 3.3% in 2023, before moderating to 3% in 2024. The estimated growth of 3.3% in 2023 represents a slowdown moderation from 4.6% recorded in 2022.
Between 2008 and 2021, there were 1 319 asylum claims made by Namibian nationals in the UK.
Of this figure, 1 163 claims have been made since 2017. Only 138 Namibians were successfully granted asylum statuses during this period. In addition, at least a further 800 asylum claims were made during 2022, with those applications still pending.
Last year, a group of 198 Namibians, led by Katutura Central constituency councillor Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo, organised a trip to the United Kingdom to attend the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
The trip later failed as participants botched certain UK entry requirements.
It then transpired that the trip might have been a decoy for asylum-seekers who had no intention of returning to Namibia.
One of the asylum seekers in the UK preferring anonymity, said he exhausted all avenues in Namibia to make a living until depression started to kick.
“Things were not easy and I had to take a risk of selling almost half of my parent’s cattle to reach the UK and eke a better living. Lucky me, I am in the UK and really I managed to transform the living standards at home. It’s easy to earn enough here, but in Namibia it’s a no-go area,” said the Namibian living in the UK.
However, the British High Commission in Windhoek in July this year announced that with immediate effect all Namibian nationals, including visitors, will need a visa before travelling to the UK.
The decision to impose a visa regime was made due to a sustained and significant increase in the number of UK asylum applications from Namibian nationals at UK borders since 2016. – mndjavera@nepc.com.na