Gov’t to comprehensively examine Basarwa situation

Spira Tlhankane | Monday March 17, 2025 10:58

This was disclosed by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, in his contribution to the 2025-26 committee of supply speech, this week. He said the mooted committee will work to find sustainable solutions to Basarwa's long-standing human rights concerns while promoting national unity in diversity.

“At the heart of its mandate is a review of the 1986 National Settlement Policy, assessing its impact on Basarwa’s livelihoods both positive and negative, particularly regarding relocation and cultural preservation. “The committee will also study international best practices and propose recommendations that align with Botswana’s social and economic realities,” the minister added. Ramaotwana also indicated that key areas of focus include the transition from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle and its effect on Basarwa’s identity. He said other areas of focus include the implications of conservation laws, including hunting bans, on their traditional way of life; the legal and constitutional aspects affecting Basarwa’s rights, including land claims and the right to return to the CKGR. Others are infrastructure development in the CKGR such as schools, healthcare, water, and electricity and its impact on both people and the environment; access to social protection, economic empowerment, and partnerships with development stakeholders; sustainable natural resource use, implications and resource including community-based conservation and financial mobilisation to support programmes for Basarwa, he further noted. Ramaotwana added the committee will assess the social and economic conditions of Basarwa communities that have undergone relocation and provide forward-looking policy recommendations for their well-being. “This initiative is a step towards a more inclusive Botswana, ensuring that development respects the rights, culture, and dignity of Basarwa while fostering national cohesion,” the minister said.

This decision comes shortly after President Duma Boko overturned the country’s apex court decision last year by ordering that the body of a Mosarwa tribesman, Pitseng Gaoberekwe, be buried in the CKGR after more than two years in a mortuary. Gaoberekwe was finally buried at Metsiamanong which is located deep in the CKGR on December 10, 2024. Boko also made some controversial remarks directed at the Judiciary at the burial of Gaoberekwe. “Re na le judge tsa mofuta mang, ke batho ba sebopego se se ntseng jang, naare re ba tsaya kae? Ba golagetse mo ditlhaloganyong, ga ba kgone go bona tsuulolo le kgatako ya ditshwanelo tsa motho, re tsaya kae batho ba (What kind of judges do we have and where do they come from? They are brain damaged and cannot see the trample and violations on human rights, where did we get these people from?”

the President said when addressing those who gathered for the funeral. Boko’s connection with Basarwa is deep-rooted and their situation hits close to home because he is the same human rights lawyer who jointly represented Basarwa in the CKGR case with British lawyer, Gordon Bennet and won the matter. The landmark 'Basarwa CKGR case' was a legal battle and broader conflict surrounding the forced relocation of the Basarwa (also known as San) people from their traditional lands within the CKGR which led to a landmark court ruling in 2006.