One-stop border post to become a reality
Towards a united southern Africa
Namibia, Botswana and South Africa are working together with the hopes of creating a one-stop border post within the next 12 months along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC)This according to Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Public Works Eric Molale, who was speaking on Thursday, during the inauguration of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat headquarters.
The Trans-Kalahari Corridor Management Committee (TKCMC) is a tripartite transboundary corridor development and management organisation that was established with the vision to pursue deeper regional integration in SADC. The Governments of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia through their respective transport ministries, concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and management of the TKC in November 2003.
Molale added that this agreement actualizes the ideals of the founding fathers who always dreamt of a United Africa, that traded amongst itself, and that could build and maintain infrastructure to prove beyond doubt what the continent could do.
SA’s Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said that it is in the collective interest of all parties and the continent that this collaboration succeeds.
“Transport plays a major role as a key enabler of economic development and growth, as it provides movement of goods and services to markets while enabling access to social infrastructure and amenities of our people,” she said, adding that its access would provide invaluable lessons to address similar challenges in the region and elsewhere in the continent.
“Without efficient transport, our respective economies will stagnate,” she said.
On his part, Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, said this agreement would help to facilitate trade and other economic developments in the short, medium and long terms. “This building is just a building, but what remains more important is what you do with the facility.”