Crossing Beitbridge Border with children: what is needed?

1. Where both parents are travelling.

a. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
b. Valid Passport.

2. Where One Parent is travelling
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Affidavit from the absent parent
d. Copy of identity document and or passport of the absent parent.

3. Where child is travelling with relative/guardian
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Affidavit signed by both absent parents
d. Copies of identity documents and or passport of both absent parents.

4. Single mother (Child uses mother’s surname)(Illegitimate child)
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

5. Deceased Parent/parents
a. Copies of death certifiate of one or both of the deceased parents.
b. Valid passport.
c. Affidavit signed by guardian
d. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

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BEITBRIDGE BORDER: AN EARLY ANALYSIS

It may be early for us to give an analysis of the performance of border authorities during the past Christmas and New Year holidays, allow us guys to give a round of applause to the dedicated teams of border authorities from both sides of Beitbridge Border Post. 

One thing that became apparent is that with proper planning and dedication, the authorities managed to be on top of the situation and in the process managed to serve the travelling community efficiently without compromising on security.

Of note was the leading of the team leaders who did a sterling job by being where the action was and making quick and timely decisions, this saw the equitable distribution of travellers to the numerous processing points and yes, it was a beauty for once in so many years to pass through Beitbridge.

On the negative side, we would like to mention the late deployment of relief staff by Zimra but the moment that the staff arrived we saw a marked improvement in processing time. The method that Zimra used in releasing motor vehicles was quite effective as officers were approaching clients to inspect vehicles unlike the previous years when travellers had to look for officers.

We are still to see the last of the waves of travellers going either way as schools and industry open next week, its our hope that the professionalism and dedication shown during the past four weeks will continue and that travellers will have a pleasant experience of crossing Beitbridge.

We believe a proper analysis will be carried out by the different stake holders and remedial action taken where flaws in the system were noted. 

Unlike last year, we believe when the Ministers of Home Affairs from both Zimbabwe and South Africa meet it will be to congratulate each other's team for a job well done.

You, the travellers were wonderful, patient and very understanding.

Those of you who still have to travel, we would like to wish you a safe journey to your various bases across southern Africa.

Drive to arrive alive

#teamcrossingbeitbridge

https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge

BEITBRIDGE BORDER UPDATE: 09 JANUARY 2014

Beitbridge Update: 9 January 2014

Today marks the beginning of the second and last southbound wave of holiday season travellers going back to South Africa.

The first wave was handled well by authorities on both sides of the Beitbridge border, its also our hope that this also will not be a problem and that delays won't be severe.

we would like to urge you the travelling public to have all your papers (personal and car) in order and easily accessible so that you will not delay yourself and others while you are looking for them.

Those going to South Africa in private motor vehicles once your papers have been stamped on the Zimbabwe side get back into your car and cross to SA in the car, SA authorities are stamping your passports per vehicle and this is quite fast as you won't be stuck on the pedestrian section at the border.

We wish you guys a safe journey back to South Africa.

#teamcrossingbeitbridge

https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge 

Crossing Beitbridge, the myth and reality.

Beitbridge is the land border post between South African and Zimbabwe but again the gateway of South Africa to Central and Eastern Africa.

So you can imagine, goods and people from as far afield as Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe linking up with South Africa through Beitbridge.

                                             http://p.twimg.com/Az1dyDpCcAEnMdO.jpg:large
The border post is as a result the melting point of cultures from the central, east and southern Africa and languages like Swahili, Nyanja, Chewa, Lozi, English, Makonde, Shona, Ndebele, French, Venda, Tsonga, Sotho, Zulu, Portuguese, infact they are too many to mention, those who stay at Beitbridge will tell you Africa meets here.

Taking the above into consideration, the myth is Beitbridge border post is very difficult to go through, the truth is, if given its due respect, Beitbridge like any other port of entry or exit, its very easy to go through.

Through the many forums like https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge we have tried to disseminate information on how best to do so without losing your goods and or money.

Our wish in writing this blog is to enable you the traveller to be able to know what to do and what to avoid when you are at the border, if you are able to cross the border without problems after using the information we would have shared, we believe we all would have won.