Maun, Namibia, this year, work permits
 

Hopefully this is a misguided rumor, however I have just read on another forum that the governments of Namibia and Botswana are not issuing work permits for flying any longer. According to the other post, the Botswana government met with the operators in Maun last week and told them they would no longer issue work permits to foreign pilots while there were unemployed pilots in Botswana. They then gave the operators a 4-page list of unemployed Botswana pilots. Have any of you heard this? Is it true? can one of you who's working there now ask if this is true. One pilot even said that his renewal was denied, another said his renewal was delayed 11 months. Again, I don't know how to confirm or deny this information. I did fill out a contact form for Sefofane asking them if could tell me about the work permit situation, but I don't know that they'll bother with responding to me. Thank you, Andy

Rumours are true, list is not. Same thing happened last year. Have full confidence that it will get sorted again this year.
If they have to, they will get the president involved again like they did last year. It is just typical african chest beating and needing to assert ones authority.

Just hang tight. Its just one more hoop you have to jump through.

Well, yes they played this thing in Bots last February... And they are trying again.
The info on Nam is a kak. Companies are sorting out the visas, and guys are being hired regularly. It is true that the Immigration is not giving work permits but my 3 month visas always arrive in time.
Better not suck up all the rumours and do not panic.

Thank you guys. BTW. The contact form on the Sefofane web site kicks back as an invalid email address. So if they're thinking that form should send them requests for bookings......... You might want to let them know the next time you see them. -Andy

Unfortunately, the rumour about the list is true - although it has been slightly exaggerated! The government/CAA sent it through to my operator; has about 5-10 names on it for people who have completed training, and are unemployed.

Some of them will get work, as will some expats. Permits do get issued, but you quite often have to wait a long time; and fight for it!

Thank you GWidgery for the information.

A second thanks from me also GWidgery.
In hopes of catching some sleep tonight...is there much truth to the 30 pilots in Maun as of now and growing to 50 or so by end of Dec looking for work?
Thanks

That's some bad news ! I was assured in September that the permit issue of last spring was over !!! Anyway it's too late now, I'm leaving in 2 days for Maun. I might not get a job but i'll get some vacations :)

Charles

Hey Charles,
What part of Canada are you leaving from?
Matt