Africa-Press – Botswana. Basarwa of Gudigwa have called on government to return their land in concession areas. The residents made the request when presenting their issues before the Inter Ministerial Committee appointed look at challenges affecting Basarwa during a consultative meeting in Gudigwa.
In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Diavere Ndando of Gudigwa said they were requested by government to relocate from their concession areas such as NG 11, 14, 16 and 17 to a central place where they could be assisted with amenities. However, Kgosi Ndando said Basarwa in Gudigwa had not received any promised developments and were not benefiting from their concession areas like other Basarwa in the Ngamiland.
He said Gudigwa residents had lost some of their properties including farms during the relocation process, but had not received compensation for the losses. Kgosi Ndando decried that Basarwa of Gudigwa were poor and had not benefitted from their ancestral land and culture.
“We were promised some privileges when we relocated to Gudigwa but it has been 32 years now without the promises,” he said.
He said if given back their land, they would woo investors such that they too benefitted like other Basarwa. He said many relied on Ipelegeng programme and social welfare for survival. Kgosi Ndando thus thanked President Advocate Duma Boko for setting up the Inter Ministerial Committee with a view to understand issues affecting Basarwa. He also said Dikgosi should be responsible for land allocations instead of the Tawana Land Board.
Legothwana ward Kgosi Collen Tsima said Basarwa were marginalised despite Botswana being part of the international agreements on the rights of the indigenous people. Kgosi Tsima said since Basarwa were a small population, they were unable to elect their representative suggesting that instead, there should be a special dispensation for Basarwa at Ntlo ya Dikgosi, council ward and Parliament.
A resident, Ms Kemetha Tshosa said Sesarwa language should be taught in schools and be used in radio stations. Another resident, Ms Kehumile Amos said Basarwa should be supported to use their culture to benefit from it and be allowed to hunt wild animals on certain periods.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
