In our monthly Immigration News from Africa, we update you on important changes in African Immigration.
South Africa
ZEP Extended
The South African Department of Home Affairs has officially extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) for another 12 months, up to 28 November 2025. This decision is outlined in Minister’s Immigration Directive No. 15 of 2024, issued by Dr. L.A. Schreiber, and comes as part of efforts to comply with a Gauteng High Court order requiring consultations on the future of the ZEP program.
Kenya
Exploring the Germany-Kenya Migration Agreement
Kenya and Germany have strengthened their cooperative relationship by establishing a comprehensive labour mobility agreement. Following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Kenya and the subsequent joint declaration with President William Ruto in May 2023, both governments have engaged in dialogue to address Germany’s demand for skilled labour and Kenya’s capacity to meet it.
Namibia
2024 Namibian General Election
Namibia held its general elections to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly. Initially scheduled for 27 November 2024, the elections were extended in some areas to 30 November due to logistical challenges. Opposition parties strongly criticised this extension, boycotting the results announcement and vowing to challenge the election outcome in court. These were Namibia’s seventh general elections since gaining independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.
On 3 December 2024, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party was declared the winner, making her poised to become Namibia’s first female president. In the National Assembly elections, SWAPO secured 51 seats, maintaining a slim majority of just three. This result marked the party’s weakest performance since independence. The incumbent president, Nangolo Mbumba, did not stand for re-election.
Botswana
Decisive Win for Umbrella for Democratic Change
Botswana held its general elections on 30 October 2024 to elect members of the 13th Parliament and local councils nationwide. Voters decided on 61 seats in the National Assembly and 609 local council positions, using the first-past-the-post voting system.
The centre-right Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which had dominated the country’s politics since independence in 1966, suffered a historic defeat to the centre-left Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Significant voter swings toward opposition parties pushed the BDP into fourth place.
The UDC emerged victorious, securing 36 seats in the National Assembly, a five-seat majority, ensuring its leader, Duma Boko, also head of the Botswana National Front (BNF), would become President of Botswana. The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) claimed second place, establishing itself as the official opposition. The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) made notable gains in the Central District, increasing its representation. Meanwhile, the BDP was reduced to just four seats, marking one of the most dramatic defeats of a ruling party within the Commonwealth.
Incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat on 1 November 2024, facilitating a peaceful transfer of power. Later that day, President Boko was sworn in by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane, forming Botswana’s first government without BDP participation since independence.
Written by Simon Carletti, PR and Creative Supervisor
