Mata Mata Border Post

I have received this via e-mail from a friend and thought some of you may be interested:

Monday, October 15, 2007 - Web posted at 7:04:27 GMT
New border post opened in south-east
LUQMAN CLOETE at MATA-MATA
A NEW border post in south-eastern Namibia, which will facilitate cross-border tourism between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, was officially opened on Friday.

The Mata-Mata border post, which was opened by the presidents of the three countries, will serve as tourist entry point from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana.
The Kgalagadi Park, which was opened seven years ago, incorporates the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari National Park in South Africa.
Mata-Mata also shortens the route to the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park between Namibia and South Africa.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the opening was a step towards the removal of barriers and the free movement of people as part of regional integration within the SADC region.
The new border post would also enhance job creation and thus contribute to socio-economic development.
This especially applied to the tourism sectors of the three countries, Pohamba said.
South African President Thabo Mbeki said the strategic linkage between the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Ai-Ais Richtersveld was testimony to SADC countries' efforts to promote conservation.
"The global recognition of our regional SADC conservation efforts would be rendered meaningless if these fail to improve the lives of our people, as well as inspire confidence in our people about their future," Mbeki remarked.
Botswana President Festus Mogae hailed the border-post opening as the second historic event involving Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
"I would like to reiterate what I said in my remarks during the launch of the Park in May 2000 on the importance and significance of the co-management initiatives of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, namely that occasions such as this give our countries the pleasure and pride of presenting the Park to the SADC region, and the African continent, as an example of building blocks for sub-regional, regional co-operation and integration among the countries of the subcontinent," Mogae said.
He said these initiatives showed the world that positive co-operation is possible between African states.
"In a time when the continent seems to be suffering from instability and insecurity in many areas, it is useful to remind ourselves and the world at large that we can achieve stable and mutually beneficial arrangements through peaceful dialogue," Mogae said.

oh excellent - such an awesome park and i've only seen the SA side

oooooh