93 Namibians stranded abroad

…want  to come home

By Confidente Reporter

AROUND 93 Namibians say they are stranded in countries across the world and want to return home as the world scrambles frantically to contain and suppress the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. This was said by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in the capital yesterday.

Ndaitwah, however sadly reported that Namibia cannot at this time repatriate all its citizens as they are scattered across various countries around the world.

‘We urge them to remain where they are until the airspace is open because there is no way we can charter a plane to where they are to bring them back . They are scattered all over the world and we hope they remain safe where they are, and when the situation improves they will be able to come back,” Ndaitwah said.

Ndaitwah, who also serves as deputy prime minister added that 110 Namibians were also brought back to the country through Lufthansa mainly when countries in Europe chartered airplanes to evacuate their citizens from Namibia recently.

“There were some countries in Europe that came to pick up their people and we used them to bring our people back and we managed to bring back 110 Namibians, as well as some essential cargo. During that time over 2 000 foreign nationals were repatriated to their home countries,” she said.

Of the 93 Namibians stranded abroad, 42 are said to be in South Africa and have since received permission to leave that country. According to a letter to Namibian authorities from the department of international relations and cooperation in South Africa, 42 Namibians had been cleared to travel through the Noordoever, Vioolsdrift, Ariamsvlei and Nakop borders between 13 and 14 April.

Ndaitwah confirmed that her ministry through its office in Pretoria had been in contact with the South African government to certify the 42 Namibian nationals for urgent repatriation.