Botswana deeply values Germany as a “close friend and a strategic development partner”, Deputy Permanent Secretary – Bilateral Diplomacy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Clifford Maribe told guests during the October 3 German Unity Day commemoration in Gaborone.
Gathered at the German Residence in the posh Ext. 11 suburb last Thursday, guests learnt how since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1966, the two countries have collaborated to address both global and national challenges.
Maribe reiterated Botswana’s eagerness to learn from Germany’s innovative technologies that contribute to the strength of the German economy. He cited the partnership with the German Association of Engineering Industry (VDMA), as an example of a collaboration that has resulted in the training of nearly 700 artisans in fields, such as Program Logistics Control, Hydraulics, and Mechatronics.
“These initiatives not only enhance technical skills in our workforce, but also align with Botswana’s goal of transforming from a resource based to a knowledge-based economy,” Maribe noted.
Indeed, the German Government has provided Botswana with substantial financial and technical assistance which has significantly contributed to our progress in various sectors, including, water and sanitation, education, human resource development, tourism, wildlife, and conservation, among others.
And in the area of wildlife and conservation, Maribe recalled the significance of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s visit to Berlin in June 2024. He expressed gratitude that an understanding was reached between Germany and Botswana during that visit to work together on a journey that “integrates wildlife conservation with community development”, ensuring that local populations benefit from the preservation of their natural heritage.
Addressing the event host, Klaus Wunderlich, Chargé d’Affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany, Maribe stated emphatically:
“I wish to highlight here that, trophy hunting generates income that is used to combat poaching, support community development, habitat protection and adapting to the effects of climate change, as well as being a significant wildlife conservation measure widely used in Southern Africa”.
He noted that Botswana’s position on this matter is informed by research and scientific data and “we stand ready to share our experiences and best practices”.
For his part, Klaus Wunderlich - speaking on behalf of Ambassador Designate, Gabriela Bennemann who was in attendance but still has to present her letters of credence to President Masisi – noted that the German
Government has provided over 500 million Euro in support of the regional integration bloc, SADC since 1992.
“We support strengthening regional cooperation for the benefit of the people and reduction of poverty,” Wunderlich said, adding that creating larger markets with freedom of movement for goods, services, labour and capital, and removing barriers to trade also makes the region more attractive to domestic and foreign investors. Among other focal areas of German cooperation with SADC, which naturally benefit Botswana, Wunderlich mentioned transboundary water management, cross-border protection and use of natural resources, and adaptation to climate change.
And turning to the Executive Secretary of SADC, Elias Magosi, who was also in attendance, Wunderlich said declared, “Our new team at the German embassy looks forward to working out our future cooperation with you”. The German Unity Day is the National Day of Germany, celebrated on 3 October as a public holiday to commemorate German reunification in 1990 when the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
By this act alone, there existed a single German state for the first time since 1945. Speaking off-the-cuff to introduce the day, Ambassador Designate Bennemann explained that 34 years later, the memory of people breaking down the Berlin Wall that had separated Germany for decades, “still move us profoundly”.
Gathered at the German Residence in the posh Ext. 11 suburb last Thursday, guests learnt how since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1966, the two countries have collaborated to address both global and national challenges.
Maribe reiterated Botswana’s eagerness to learn from Germany’s innovative technologies that contribute to the strength of the German economy. He cited the partnership with the German Association of Engineering Industry (VDMA), as an example of a collaboration that has resulted in the training of nearly 700 artisans in fields, such as Program Logistics Control, Hydraulics, and Mechatronics.
“These initiatives not only enhance technical skills in our workforce, but also align with Botswana’s goal of transforming from a resource based to a knowledge-based economy,” Maribe noted.
Indeed, the German Government has provided Botswana with substantial financial and technical assistance which has significantly contributed to our progress in various sectors, including, water and sanitation, education, human resource development, tourism, wildlife, and conservation, among others.
And in the area of wildlife and conservation, Maribe recalled the significance of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s visit to Berlin in June 2024. He expressed gratitude that an understanding was reached between Germany and Botswana during that visit to work together on a journey that “integrates wildlife conservation with community development”, ensuring that local populations benefit from the preservation of their natural heritage.
Addressing the event host, Klaus Wunderlich, Chargé d’Affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany, Maribe stated emphatically:
“I wish to highlight here that, trophy hunting generates income that is used to combat poaching, support community development, habitat protection and adapting to the effects of climate change, as well as being a significant wildlife conservation measure widely used in Southern Africa”.
He noted that Botswana’s position on this matter is informed by research and scientific data and “we stand ready to share our experiences and best practices”.
For his part, Klaus Wunderlich - speaking on behalf of Ambassador Designate, Gabriela Bennemann who was in attendance but still has to present her letters of credence to President Masisi – noted that the German
Government has provided over 500 million Euro in support of the regional integration bloc, SADC since 1992.
“We support strengthening regional cooperation for the benefit of the people and reduction of poverty,” Wunderlich said, adding that creating larger markets with freedom of movement for goods, services, labour and capital, and removing barriers to trade also makes the region more attractive to domestic and foreign investors. Among other focal areas of German cooperation with SADC, which naturally benefit Botswana, Wunderlich mentioned transboundary water management, cross-border protection and use of natural resources, and adaptation to climate change.
And turning to the Executive Secretary of SADC, Elias Magosi, who was also in attendance, Wunderlich said declared, “Our new team at the German embassy looks forward to working out our future cooperation with you”. The German Unity Day is the National Day of Germany, celebrated on 3 October as a public holiday to commemorate German reunification in 1990 when the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
By this act alone, there existed a single German state for the first time since 1945. Speaking off-the-cuff to introduce the day, Ambassador Designate Bennemann explained that 34 years later, the memory of people breaking down the Berlin Wall that had separated Germany for decades, “still move us profoundly”.
