AUGETTO GRAIG, Windhoek | Monday
THE ongoing dispute about the border between Namibia and South Africa at the Orange River came under investigation again this week after an article, published in a leading South African daily alleged that Namibia does not hold any mining rights in the Orange River and that the border on the northern shore of the river, is a fait accompli.
This week the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Theo-Ben Gurirab confirmed that the negotiations are currently stalled.
South Africa claims that the border is at the high-water mark on the northern side of the river while Namibia insists it is in the middle of the river. Various mineral rights, farming activities and even access to the water hang in the balance.
This week the South African High Commission in Windhoek, through the deputy head of the mission, Mr Phakamile Gongo, said that, “As far as I am concerned the border will stay where it is.”
He pointed to the meeting between President Sam Nujoma and President Thabo Mbeki held in August of this year in Upington, South Africa.
According to the commissioner, the report back from that meeting showed that both President Nujoma and President Mbeki agreed that the issue was settled and that the border would stay on the northern bank of the river.
Gurirab dismissed these statements out of hand, pointing out that at the last meeting between the two presidents, at which he was present, mention was made of the issue. He explained that the meeting, held in Windhoek in September of this year, was a inter-cabinet meeting between the two country’s top politicians and ostensibly had nothing to do with the Orange River issue. However, he said, during reports delivered by the respective ministers of trade for Namibia and South Africa, a project to take place around the Orange River was discussed. It was then, he said, that it became clear that the issue was not yet resolved.
Minister Gurirab said that it also became clear that President Mbeki did not have the benefit of what had transpired between Namibia and de Klerk’s government or what had happened between Namibia and Mandela’s government.
Minister Gurirab pointed out that in de Klerk’s time technical teams had been set up by both governments and things progressed so far that both initialled a document concerning the new position of the border.
Due to the internal developments in South Africa, which led to the end of de Klerk’s administration, the then president never signed the document, he explained.
Again in Mandela’s time, both governments’ surveyor generals met and signed maps identifying what was to be demarcated, but again the process was not seen through to the end, Gurirab said.
Mbeki went back to South Africa after the meeting to await information from Namibia which will bring him up to date on all that has already happened, he said.
Meanwhile, last week the South African publication reported on the issue saying the South African cabinet has decided already in July 2000 that the border will not be moved. It was also reported that negotiations between the two countries are continuing, according to South African minister of minerals and energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Mgcuka.
According to the newspaper, the minister told the South African parliament when discussing mineral and exploration rights of a variety of South African companies including Forest Exploration, Anschutz Corporation, Trans Hex, Kuboes Diamante and the state-owned Alexkor, that Namibia’s request will jeopardise diamond mining rights. She said that all their rights would be effected by any moving of the border and noted that if such a move should take place, these and other companies would have to renegotiate with Namibia for their rights themselves.
According to her the South African foreign ministry is busy with the negotiations even though that country insists on its claim on the river, citing an agreement with the Organisation of African Unity to maintain borders drawn up during the colonial period. – The Namibia Economist