Bushmen forced from Kalahari

2002-01-29 17:57

Gaborone - Botswana's government confirmed on Tuesday that it would implement a decision to cut off services to Basarwa (Bushmen) remaining in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) at the end of January.

Permanent secretary in the ministry of Local Government Bergsman Sentle confirmed that the decision, made in August last year, would be implemented.

But the government was considering a programme suggested by the European Union (EU) which would involve the Basarwa in tourism-related community development in the CKGR and adjacent areas.

"Our [the EU] head of delegation last week met with Local Government Minister Margaret Nasha, under whose portfolio the matter falls," EU spokesperson Ernest Gunnar Ring said.

"She explained that the government is not intending to leave the Basarwa in the CKGR, but that it would let them make use of the natural resources of the area within well-determined community use zones."

This policy had not yet been fully endorsed by government.

Most have moved already

It had long been the government's stated intention to persuade the Basarwa to move out of the CKGR as part of its policy to develop tourism in the area.

It claimed that over the last few years, 2200 Basarwa had taken advantage of government incentives and moved. In November the government warned the estimated 500 who remained that it was too expensive to provide them with social and support services and these would be discontinued from the end of January.

"More will move out," Ring said.

"Although the government have not taken a final stand, I doubt that they will be allowed to stay without services."

No 'forced removals'

There has been no suggestion of forced removals.

In November, Nasha's deputy Gladys Kokorwe said only that the Basarwa must relocate to places of their choice where it would be cost effective to provided them with services.

They would be given free transport and compensated for loss of possessions.

Kokorwe told them to seriously weigh the advantages of staying in the reserve where there was no future for them or their children.

The EU has proposed a €14 million (R135 million) programme to develop community use zones in several areas of Botswana which it has suggested to government could be extended to include areas of the CKGR.

"If it is accepted by the government, the wildlife conservation and management project will start in mid 2002. Within the project we have a community development component which could be extended to include areas within and adjacent to the CKGR," Ring said.

- SAPA