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| Buhsman children, South Africa
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
One of Botswana's main opposition parties, the Botswana National Front
(BNF), has branded the Botswana government's eviction of the Gana and
Gwi Bushmen from their land as indefensible'.
In a statement published yesterday in the Botswana newspaper Mmegi, the
BNF, condemns in the strongest of terms the colonial-style forced
relocation of Basarwa [Bushmen] of the CKGR [Central Kalahari Game
Reserve].'
The statement continues, The BNF rejects the government's simplistic
view that indigenous peoples like Basarwa have only two options – either to remain locked up in an ancient lifestyle in the game reserves
and perish 'like the dodo' or relocate to remote places like New Xade
and succumb to assimilation into the cultures of dominant ethnic
groups.
In our view, development is not just economic, social and political
but also cultural. It must respect the cultural identities of the
people. Development, however well meaning, is not something that can be
done to the people or imposed on them against their will.
We therefore call upon the government to immediately and
unconditionally allow Basarwa to return to their homeland or CKGR where
their ancestors are buried because their cultures, economies and
identities are inextricably intertwined with their traditional lands
and resources.'
To read the statement in full click here
