Around 200 people took to the streets in Botswana's capital Gaborone on Saturday to protest the government's refusal to allow the Bushmen of the Central Kalahari to return to their ancestral homes.
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| Protestors carrying placards during the demonstration in Gaborone |
The protesters carried placards reading 'Value Human Life more than Animal Life', 'Land, Diamonds to People not Multinationals' and 'Let Basarwa Go Home Now'.
Akayang Magama, the secretary general of Botswana opposition party BNF, stated, 'Government is trying to impose on them an alien settlement pattern which makes them recipients of food handouts. It amounts to ethnocide and cultural genocide and is breeding new problems of alcoholism, prostitution and HIV/AIDS infections.'
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| Leaders of the demonstration being interviewed by national and international media |
The Bushman organisation, First People of the Kalahari, applauded the protest. 'We hope this will make the government listen to our cries – we want to go home! We are very excited and happy for this support', they stated in a press release on Friday. A number of Bushmen travelled to Gaborone from New Xade resettlement camp to join the protest.
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
Act now to help the Bushmen
Your support is vital if the Bushmen are to survive. There are many ways you can help.
- Writing a letter to the Botswana government is a quick and simple way to let them know of your concern.
- Donate to the Bushman campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Botswana high commission or embassy.
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
- Visit the Bushmen’s own website…
