Namibian returnees from Botswana embrace first sights on home soil

The titillating voices of a San cultural group tears through the crowd as the group delivers what it is known for best . The group consists of San girls from areas around Tsumkwe in northern Namibia . Their performance , although brief , had the crowd on its feet and thumping to the vibrations that filled the air . The cultural group is welcoming 98 Batswana of Namibian descent who on Friday made their long - awaited return to their ancestors ' birthplace - Namibia . A few moments earlier , another cultural group from neighbouring Botswana also had the crown begging for more as it delivered a rejuvenating performance . Here , even dignitaries gathered got lost and got footloose . It was a special sight . Clad in plain white t - shirts designed specially for the day , the group sat close to each other during the ceremony . There is a neat row of chairs that has been reserved for them . From there , they observe speeches and performances welcoming them . With occasional whispers in their adopted Setswana langu age - which all are fluent in - the group patiently sat through the official ceremony and watched activities unfold in great anticipation . Seated close by were Gam and Eiseb residents - who themselves also returned to Namibia from Botswana in the same fashion more than 20 years ago . They exchange occasional glances , smiles and nods . Happy nods . In the silence , unspoken words expressing appreciation from both sides could be heard . Many are relatives , while some are even siblings of those who had been in Namibia . The uncertainty of the life that awaits them in Namibia can somehow be read on their faces , but the excitement of the prospects that lie in waiting seem to wipe away any doubts . They are elated to be at Dobe Border Post on this day ; they have waited long for it . The story about a neighbouring country called Namibia - from which their ancestors came - has been told and retold in Botswana to these descendants . It has been a favourite campfire story for years and the narration spoke of a lan d that held great prospects and promise for them . They all wanted to see this land . ' We are happy to be home . This has always been our home ; the home that we were told about by our parents but never got to see until now ,' said 35 - year - old Tjetjoo Rijeterera . ' For once , we will cease being Batswana and finally get to be called Namibians . It ' s been good living in Botswana , but the longing for the land of our ancestors has been strong ,' she said . She hopes that the youth returning to Namibia will be given ample opportunity for advancement , so as to eventually contribute to the economic advancement of their parents . The occasion brought different chiefs and other traditional leaders together - some of whom rarely converge together in similar settings . The omen was a good one , as one of them exclaimed . For once , differences brought them together as opposed to dividing them . As the ceremony winds up , the group of returnees rise and stand by for the singing of the national anthems . Their faces lighten up as they wait for the singing of the Botswana national anthem ' Fatshe leno la rona '. Without waiting for the recorded anthem , the group started singing . Note for note they went through the anthem , with their voices drumming though the tent in which they were seated . Emotions clearly written on their faces as they sang an anthem they have been singing for years , but one that they might not get to sing again for a long time - or perhaps never . Source: The Namibia News Agency