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| Bushman women, Namibia
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
Survival International is launching a boycott of Botswana today at the
world's largest tourism fair, ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Börse)
Berlin. Supporters of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen will give out leaflets
outside the fair asking people not to go on holiday to Botswana until
the Bushmen are allowed to return to their land in the Central Kalahari
Game Reserve and to hunt and gather freely.
The Gana and Gwi say that tourism should not be developed on their land
until they can go home. But the government is promoting the reserve as
a tourist attraction. Other key tourist destinations, such as the
Tsodilo Hills, famous for ancient Bushman rock art, have also been
emptied of the Bushmen who used to live there.
Cynically, the Botswana government uses the Bushmen's hunter-gatherer
way of life to promote the country to tourists. In fact, the Gana and
Gwi were banned from hunting and gathering on their land in 2002, and
Bushmen hunting to feed their families now face heavy fines or
imprisonment. Bushman hunters have also been tortured.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'The Gana and Gwi are
fighting for their very survival, languishing in eviction sites where
they are falling victim to alcoholism, prostitution and HIV/AIDS.
Please don't go on holiday to Botswana until they are allowed to go
home, and write to the president to ask him to let this happen now.'
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam Ross
on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
