What are your thoughts on the repatriation of Namibians from SA?

Students from Triumphant College share their thoughts
Nee-Thanks Uupindi
  • 1 Day Ago

Mercia !Owoses (18)

This act of repatriation of Namibians from South Africa is cruel and inhumane. As Africans, we should stand together; we should be 'umkonto we sizwe' as was said. As Africans, we have been through a lot, including colonialism. Poverty and unemployment affect many African countries, not just South Africa. As Africans, we should share a bond of my house is your house. I shouldn't kick you out because this is also your house.


Nicky Kambwali (25)

My thoughts are that Namibians are not in that much danger in South Africa. South Africans don't really view Namibians as a threat. Namibians don't normally go to South Africa for jobs, they mainly go there for study purposes and for basic services that are provided in South Africa that one cannot access in Namibia. The problem is that some Namibians who are coming back from South Africa, who had jobs in South Africa, will not have jobs when they come back to Namibia.


Panduleni Taapopi (21)

I feel like Namibia and South Africa have been working together and supporting each other for many years. I believe the two governments should work together on issues of immigration to protect the dignity, safety and well-being of citizens from both Namibia and South Africa. Discrimination should not stand as a divider between the two countries. It could be that, yes, South Africans' jobs are being taken, but at the same time, foreign nationals are creating more jobs for South Africans.


Prince Tjiuma (25)

I would say that it's not a good idea for Namibians to be repatriated from South Africa. We share a border with South Africa, meaning we have a neighbourly bond. Namibians use South African currency, although South Africans do not use Namibian currency; that shows that there is a strong partnership between Namibia and South Africa. Namibia also has many soccer players who play in South Africa; this shows that there's good sportsmanship between Namibia and South Africa. So, I would say that it's not appropriate for Namibians to be repatriated from South Africa.


Ester Mwaala (28)

We should create more awareness of Ubuntu. I feel like South Africans are killing the culture of Ubuntu. One Africa, One Community. Maybe South Africans who are in foreign countries should also be deported to South Africa. South Africans are allowed to live freely in other countries, but they are unwilling to allow other Africans to be in their country. Even here in Namibia, there are some South Africans who are living here freely, but they are not being deported, nor are they being disturbed like how they are doing to foreigners in South Africa.


Amelia Kenya (25)

My thoughts on the repatriation of more than a hundred Namibians are that a lot of students, especially the ones who are studying in South Africa, are being affected by this. Imagine you are in your last year and then you have to come back home without finishing your course. For those who have businesses in South Africa or are working there, it has affected them negatively. I know people who were in South Africa for over 20 years, and now they are back home starting from zero. It is affecting most of our family members and the people that we know in a negative way. Those who were working in South Africa and sending money back home, it makes it even worse, because they have to come back to Namibia and start over. I hope that South Africans can provide better solutions or that the South African government itself supports our people who are coming back, especially the students.


Sam Ashipala (18)

It's very inconvenient; it affects the relationship between Namibia and South Africa negatively because there will be a loss of trust between the two countries. It will also affect the people who are there studying. Now they might have to come back to Namibia while they haven't finished their course.


Ndilimeke Haihambo (28)

They must just come back home. This is better for their lives, just to avoid them being killed by South Africans or being injured. I welcome them back home to the land of the brave.


Mecre Totwe (18)

I think it's an unfair act, because we are one Africa. I believe Namibians should be given opportunities in other countries. It is a really sad story to hear. It really touched my heart.