Kgalagadi land wars: Rich farmers vs Basarwa

Land is a highly contested resource in Botswana. In Kgalagadi District, the main groups competing for land are rich farmers, small farmers, farm workers and San groups. In Ngamiland District, the main competitors are rural communities of mixed ethnicity and tour operators.

We contend that the different groups of rural communities have over time been the main losers as land which they use for grazing and/or gather of veldt resources continues to shrink as it is sliced off for other uses.

The main problem is that there is no platform for all stakeholders to negotiate their rights and claims during the policy development process. The marginalisation of poor rural communities, notably indigenous groups, has arisen historically. In this respect, Mazonde (1998, 41) argues that “the policies of land allocation fall within the framework of the country’s overall development pattern”.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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