WINDHOEK: Namibia and Zambia have agreed to share information and experiences on identity management and civil registration.

A delegation from the Zambia National Registration Authority is on a five-day study tour in Windhoek to learn about Namibia’s civil registration, vital statistics system, and identity management.

Speaking at an opening session of the tour here on Monday, Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Executive Director Etienne Maritz said the two countries have set themselves up for the advancement of civil registration systems.

He said the visit from Zambia’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security fulfils one of the resolutions taken at the 24th Session of the Zambia-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security earlier in April.

This resolution, Maritz said, was for the civil registration authorities in the two countries to conduct exchange visits, with Zambia initiating the first visit to strengthen registration systems.

“This visit is therefore not a stand-alone event. It is connected to the bigger picture, which is the advancement of civil registration on this great continent,” Maritz said.

For her part, Zambia’s Registrar-General Brenda Kabenda said she and her team came to learn about Namibia’s successes in the areas of civil registration and identity management.

Kabenda said it’s important that the two southern African neighbours share experiences as they share common borders and interests.

“I am convinced that during the interactions now and when the Namibian delegation visits Zambia, we will identify opportunities for improved services for our people, especially those who live along our common borders. The civil registration authority in Zambia is working on improving certification of births and deaths in the Western Province, which borders the Zambezi Region,” she said.

During the study tour, the Zambian delegation will visit different locations, including Katutura State Hospital, to learn about the birth and death registration process at the hospital-based civil registration office.

They will also learn about the notification of deaths and recording of causes of death at the Windhoek State Mortuary, as well as visit The Document Warehouse to learn about the scanning and storage of civil records.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency