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| Bushman elder, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
The historic court case brought by the Gana and Gwi Bushmen against the
Botswana government is due to recommence on 3 November in Lobatse, the
seat of Botswana's high court.
In what could prove to be a test case for Bushman rights across
southern Africa, 243 Bushmen are taking the Botswana government to
court over its forced eviction of them and their families from their
ancestral land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The Bushmen want
the government to recognise their rights to return to their land and
live there without fear of further eviction, and to hunt and gather
freely.
The case was adjourned in July after being heard for several weeks in
New Xade, one of the bleak eviction sites in which the Bushmen have
been forced to live, and in the town of Ghanzi.
One Bushman told Survival, 'The government has not done anything which
proves it owns the land. We know every tree and water hole and corner
of this land – everything has a name. We know this land as you know
your children. We say, "This is my son and these are my grandchildren."
That is how we know this place. The old people remain behind and we
send our young people to court to fight for our right to live in the
world.'
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam Ross
on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
