Niël Terblanché
Namibia and South Africa are edging closer to resolving the more than three-decade-long dispute over the Orange River boundary.
During the official start of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting held in Swakopmund on Monday, this vital geographical and economic feature for both countries was the main point on the agenda.
Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Peya Mushelenga, pointed to the importance of the joint efforts in concluding negotiations over the boundary.
Mushelenga said that the Orange River, which forms part of the natural boundary between Namibia and South Africa, is a lifeline for communities living along its banks and a crucial resource in the arid region.
“The ongoing negotiations and joint discussions represent a critical step in finalising the boundary in accordance with international and regional legal frameworks,” he said.
Mushelenga made it clear from the outset that the meeting was convened to consider the Report of the Joint Committee of Experts on the Orange River Boundary, a body established in 2016 to advise and make recommendations on the matter.
The committee comprised of five members from each country and was tasked with preparing a report to guide the ministers responsible for international relations.
Mushelenga said that the current discussions should reflect a shared commitment to good neighbourliness, transparency, and mutual trust.
“This meeting underscores our common resolve to address issues of mutual concern and interest in accordance with shared values that continue to underpin the excellent state of bilateral relations and cooperation that exist between our sister countries,” he said.
The minister added that the completion of this process is expected to bring Namibia and South Africa closer to a final resolution, benefiting both current and future generations.
Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s international relations minister, also stressed the significance of the Orange River, describing it as more than a mere geographic feature.
“The Orange River is a lifeline that sustains our people in this arid part of the world. It symbolises the natural beauty we share along our border and is a testament to our unity,” he said.
Lamola called for closer collaboration between Namibia and South Africa in the management of shared water resources, underscoring the importance of the Permanent Water Commission, established in 1992, and the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), which was formed to promote integrated water resource management within the basin.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address the Orange River boundary dispute while also focusing on regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern.
The joint report, once finalized at the conclusion of the Swakopmund meeting, will be presented to the respective heads of state for approval.
Lamola said the meeting is a decisive moment in the long-standing discussions surrounding the Orange River boundary, which dates back to 2012 when the then Presidents of Namibia and South Africa directed their foreign ministers to resolve the matter.
Both Namibia and South Africa see this resolution as not only vital for their diplomatic relations but also as a means to unlock further economic cooperation.
Lamola stressed the potential for growth in sectors such as telecommunications, financial services, agriculture, and energy, highlighting the importance of strong ties between the two countries’ private sectors.
The meeting will also review the status of other decisions taken during the Third Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission, held in Windhoek in October 2023.
Both ministers expressed optimism that the boundary dispute will finally be resolved soon in order to provide a stronger platform for greater collaboration and mutual benefit for both nations.
