Botswana to legalise undocumented Zimbabweans – president

Botswana’s new president, Duma Boko, has announced plans to legalize undocumented Zimbabweans living in the country by granting them temporary work and residence permits. Speaking to the BBC Africa Daily podcast ahead of his inauguration on Friday, Boko explained that these workers play a crucial role in the economy by performing tasks that are often shunned by local citizens. “They do jobs that would otherwise not get done,” he said.

Botswana is home to the second-largest Zimbabwean diaspora in the world, with many fleeing economic hardships caused by hyperinflation and political instability in Zimbabwe. These migrants, however, often face resentment and daily deportations as they live in the country without proper documentation. Boko, who recently ousted the long-standing ruling party that had been in power for 58 years, believes that legalizing these Zimbabweans is essential for the country’s economic recovery.

The situation with Zimbabwean migrants is complex, with many entering Botswana through the long and porous border, often without the proper paperwork. “They come in and are undocumented. Their access to amenities is limited, and they often live outside the law, which can lead to crime and resentment,” said Boko. The president emphasized the need for a more formalized system that would acknowledge the presence of Zimbabweans in the country and allow them to contribute legally to the economy.

While the exact number of Zimbabweans in Botswana is unknown, statistics show that Zimbabweans account for nearly all of the country’s irregular migrants. Between 2021 and 2023, 98% of the 13,489 recorded irregular migrants were from Zimbabwe. Many of these migrants work in low-wage sectors, such as domestic work and agriculture, performing jobs that locals often avoid. “A lot of these workers from Zimbabwe perform tasks that the citizen finds unattractive… they do jobs that would otherwise not get done,” Boko said.

However, this influx of Zimbabweans has sparked a backlash in Botswana. Last year, there was widespread criticism when the government proposed allowing Zimbabweans to use identity cards instead of passports when traveling between the two countries. Many feared that this would lead to even more Zimbabweans arriving in Botswana. Despite this, Boko remains firm in his position that legalizing Zimbabweans will benefit both Botswana and the migrants themselves.

One of the key benefits Boko sees in this move is the opportunity for Botswana to learn valuable skills from Zimbabweans. “In any and every construction site in Botswana, the majority of people with those skills are from Zimbabwe,” he explained. As part of his plan, Boko envisions a program that would allow Zimbabweans to legally work in Botswana while also sharing their expertise in areas like welding and plumbing. “We can’t stop people with skills from coming in when we don’t have the skills ourselves,” he said. This skills transfer could help address Botswana’s shortage of trained workers in certain industries.

Boko’s broader economic vision focuses on improving the country’s economy, which has struggled with high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth. With a population of 2.4 million, Botswana faces an unemployment crisis, with nearly 30% of the population out of work. One of Boko’s first priorities will be to negotiate a new deal with De Beers, the global diamond giant, which he believes has been mishandled by the previous administration. A successful deal would help stabilize Botswana’s diamond revenues, providing a boost to the economy and attracting foreign investment.

In addition to his focus on the diamond industry, Boko also plans to tackle youth unemployment by promoting entrepreneurship. “What they need from government is access to affordable finance and access to markets,” he said. By creating an environment where young people can start their own businesses, he hopes to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth.

Boko’s inauguration will take place at the national stadium in Gaborone, with international dignitaries expected to attend. The event has been declared a public holiday, marking the beginning of what many hope will be a new chapter for Botswana. With his focus on economic reform, skills development, and the legalization of Zimbabwean migrants, President Boko is positioning himself as a leader committed to addressing the country’s most pressing challenges.