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| Bushman child, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
A new play telling the story of the eviction of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen and their campaign to return to their land is being staged in South Africa next week.
South African community development worker Elijah Molahlehi wrote
Survival in the Wilderness' after visiting the evicted Bushmen at New
Xade resettlement camp last year. He said, Visiting New Xade was
really something, where people are homeless, their houses were
destroyed in the times of eviction…. Everyone is saying WE WANT TO GO
BACK HOME.'
The government is claiming development, but the reality is, the
government is oppressing the Basarwa [Bushman] people, starting with
their lies about development…. The Basarwa people didn't use money
because they didn't need it. And now in New Xade, they need it but they
don't have it. There is no way to survive there, no hunting and no
planting.'
Playwright Charlotte Jones, whose hit adaptation of The Woman in
White' is playing in London's West End, said today, I am so pleased
that the plight of the Bushmen of the Central Kalahari has been
highlighted in the form of a stage-play. All over the world indigenous
people are being dispossessed of their land and resources. I sincerely
hope that this drama will help bring their plight to a wider audience.'
Survival in the Wilderness' will be performed at the Oppenheimer
Theatre in Welkom on 15, 16 and 17 August at 2pm and 7pm. For tickets
call (+27) (0)57 357 1214/5.
Photos available. For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
