Marythar Kambinda

Katima Mulilo – The Namibian and Zambian governments have started discussions around establishing a border post at the Macenje Harbour to make the movement of people and goods easier between the two countries.

Home affairs and immigration minister Dr Albert Kawana said this last week when he and his Zambian counterpart, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jacob Mwiimbu, paid a visit to members of the community on the Impalila
 Island in the Zambezi region as well as to the site visit of a proposed new border crossing at the Macenje Harbour between Namibia and Mamboba in neighbouring
Zambia.

The minister said the borders are artificial colonial borders – and some Namibians have family on the Zambian side. 

“These activities existed even before these artificial borders were demarcated or delimited. As the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, we are ready to accept the request of our community,” he said.

He further noted he was aware it is cheaper for community members within this part of Zambezi to cross over into Zambia for their shopping, as items such as maize meal are much cheaper in Zambia, including the cost of transport.

Kawana also said residents on the island sometimes make use of mortuary services in Zambian hospitals before transporting corpses to Katima Mulilo.

“In order to facilitate the movement of our people, we, on the Zambian side, are committed to ensuring that the facility on the Zambian side starts operating on a daily basis to facilitate the movement of people, including ensuring that there are customs officials permanently stationed at Mamboba,” stated Mwiimbu.

The minister was happy to hear that trade between Impalila Island and Mamboba is high, including medical assistance provided in Zambia.

The ministers and other delegates from Zambia and Namibia also visited Luhonono in Kabbe North, which borders Mwandi on the Zambian side.