Whilst his critics condemn him as a “loud-mouthed opportunist” who does not deserve any praise, some view him as a committed human rights activist, fighting for a just course. Depending on which side one falls, those close to him continue to heap praise on him whilst his critics condemn him for a “dirty campaign” against the government.
On September 29, Sesana and the FPK were nominated for the prestigious Right Livelihood Award also known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ for the Bushmen’s “resolute resistance against eviction from their ancestral lands and for upholding the right to their traditional way of life.” The award is presented annually in Stockholm at a ceremony in the Swedish Parliament and is usually shared by four recipients. One of them may receive an Honorary Award, given to a person or group whose work the jury wishes to recognise but who is not primarily in need of monetary support. Others share the prize money of 2,000,000 Swedish kronor (approximately US$230,000). The presentation of the award is in December and FPK shares the award with Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke from Canada and Irene Fernandez from Malaysia. The awards were introduced in 1980, “to honour and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today.”
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) publicity secretary and the party’s sole MP, Dumelang Saleshando, says Sesana and the FPK deserve the award. “Batswana are people who are submissive, but Sesana is an example of a real fighter”. In fighting for his land, Saleshando says Sesana fights the highest office in the land - the Office of the President - without any fear. He adds that Sesana fights even fiercer than opposition parties combined as his voice is even heard internationally. He points out that Sesana has literally made a joke out of the government’s attempts to present its case. “The government’s attitude and approach to the issue is wrong and disregards fundamental issues like the right to land and resorts to politics of exclusion instead of dialoguing with the people concerned.”
Despite the fact that he is up against a powerful enemy like government, Saleshando says Sesana’s voice continues to be heard. He adds that logic dictates that Sesana is a perfect partner for the London-based Survival International, whose campaigns have irked the government.
Saleshando asserts that Sesana and the FPK deserve the award, given their resilience. He encourages the state to swallow its pride and say, “Sesana, we have heard you and open dialogue with the people on the disputed relocation issue”.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Botswana National Front (BNF) MP for Gaborone South, Akanyang Magama says the award was given in recognition of Sesana’s contribution to the struggle for the Bushmens’ rights. He describes the struggle as a human rights issue not just an ordinary case. He argues that the government has no right to abuse people in the name of providing services for them. “I think Sesana and the FPK deserve the award in totality. I wonder why the Botswana government has not ratified the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal peoples in independent countries. It supports people to accept changes to their lives,” Magama points out adding that only 20 countries have ratified the convention and Botswana is not one of those countries.
Survival International campaigner based in London, Josephine Bobb happily says Sesana deserves the prestigious award. She sees the award as a confirmation of the struggle Sesana and the FPK have been undergoing on behalf of the people. She describes Sesana as an incredibly dedicated and hardworking man, a charismatic fighter who fights incessantly. “I met him in Botswana. When he walks into a room, you just want to talk to him and he has a good sense of humour,” she asserts. Bobb says Sesana is passionate about the plight of his people and his land and she is certain that he will never stop fighting until he gets the land back. “I think that’s why he and FPK have won the award in the face of insurmountable difficulties. A lot of people tell lies about him - that he is very rich and that he drives fancy cars and his children go to the best schools. That’s a lie as Roy cannot even drive a car.” What she knows is that Sesana has a hut like the rest of the Basarwa. She also feels that the government is upset because Sesana exposed it to the world by telling the truth that they were hiding.
Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson, Clifford Maribe argues that in his view, Sesana and the FPK do not deserve the prestigious award. He points out that it was given on the basis of misleading information. “From our investigations, it is SI who recommended FPK for the award. It is unfortunate that those who awarded it did not know the other side of the issue,” he says. Maribe adds that FPK and Sesana falsely allege that the government is tampering with their way of life. “In a nutshell, the award was given on the strength of misleading and deceitful information about the relocation of the Basarwa and there is nothing like forced removals as SI and its partners claim to the world.” He appeals to the organisation that issued the award to come to Botswana and see for itself and gather as much information as possible to establish the truth. Maribe points out that SI is not honest in its campaigns in Botswana as it is only targeting the diamond industry as it has intentions of harming it through false and misleading information that it continues to circulate. “SI is not interested in the resolution of the Basarwa issue and we are convinced that they continue raising this issue so that they can raise funds that they direly need for their survival. The information that they are using is all falsehoods.” He says it will be pointless for government to dialogue with people who have sinister motives. He says whilst SI continues to cash in on the issue, government has duly consulted with the people for a period of 12 years and it was the residents who selected their new places and residents are allowed special permits to hunt wild animals in recognition of their way of life. Generally, he says it is clear that the lifestyles of the Basarwa have changed as this was chiefly in conflict with conservation in the game reserve.
“Our issue is that these people should lead life like any other Motswana as they cannot live like Basarwa of the ancient times,” argues Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) executive secretary, Dr Comma Serema. He is worried by some of the awards given to people as he says that they can be confusing at times. His view is that it is possible the award could be part of the government enemy number one - Survival International’s campaigns. He points out that as long as the Bushmen of the CKGR live like Basarwa of ancient times, the government will always find means and ways of improving their lives whether some people receive awards or not.
Amogelang Segoetsane, a member of the FPK describes Sesana as a capable leader who fights relentlessly for his people. “This man is only interested in seeing Basarwa free like other tribes, fully recognised by even the government. We met in 1991 when he started the FPK,” says Segoetsane. He describes Sesana as a well-behaved and selfless man. He is impressed by the man’s fighting spirit even when the odds are stacked against him. “We need many Sesanas in order to win the struggle against the government,” says the 62-year-old Segoetsane.
“He is a true fighter and nothing will stand in his way. This is a man who respects his culture so much that he cannot trade it for anything. He is not prepared to allow the government to trample on our rights just because we are a minority tribe that is often despised,” observes Solomon Phetsolo, a registered member of the FPK. The 33-year-old Phetsolo credits Sesana for putting Botswana on the world map through the award. Sesana has never been to school, but points out that it is the realities of life that taught him to stand up for his people.
“I was educated right from my mother’s womb. I feel like I have a diploma and those educated people that fail our rights will always have a tough time debating issues with us,” declares Sesana proudly. He has travelled extensively in Europe, USA and within Africa. He claims that he is prepared to die for the rights of his people.
“I was recently confronted by some government officials - police, military and others whilst I was taking water and food to people remaining in the CKGR and I was beaten for defying their orders.” He dismisses government’s claims of taking developments to people as deceitful means as developments can simply be taken to where people are without necessarily relocating them.
