Hotto acquires permit residency

Nothing special about these cases

Former goal keeper Ronnie Kananelo explained that seeking permanent residency permits is merely a career move than anything else.

Limba Mupetami

Windhoek

The former goal keeper and coach Ronnie Kanalelo said that for close to 32-years, people from different professions have been applying for permanent residency permits as they seek job opportunities.

He was responding to a case in question where 31-year-old Orlando Pirates Deon Hotto recently acquired permanent residency in South Africa and is registered as a local with the Dstv Premier Football League.

This means that the Buccaneers can now register Cameroonian marksman Bienvenu Eva Nga. Kanalelo in his hay day playing for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns also had a permanent residency permit.

He explained that players such as Hotto and Sundowns marksman Peter Shalulile (Shalulile is also reported to have applied for residency) seek this, as they have been living and working in South Africa (SA) for over five years and because of that they qualify.

“It makes their lives easy by avoiding the registration of five foreigner’s quota rule per club. These players earn salaries and bonuses of over N$7 million per year. So, it’s a career decision for everyone who takes that route,” he explained.

Having a permanent residency permit does not, however, mean that a player has denounced their citizenship, and is still eligible to play and represent their national teams, in this case Hotto and Shalulile will still feature for the Brave Warrior of Namibia when and if called up.

Both players are an asset for their respective clubs with Shalulile even earning the top goal scorer accolade in the last season.

According to www.workpermitsouthafrica.co.za, a permanent residency allows the holder to live and work in SA without limits and includes the right to work without restriction, engage in business, own property, study and do all activities a citizen is permitted to do, except for voting in the South African elections. It also allows its holder maximum flexibility with regards to entry and exit through South African borders.

Caption

RIGHT DECISIONS: Namibian footballer Deon Hotto.

Pic 2

MAKING TOUGH CHOICES: Footballer Peter Shalulile.

Photos: FILE