On December 10th, 2024, International Human Rights Day, the burial of Pitseng Gaoberekwe in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) will serve as a poignant reminder of the San community’s enduring fight for recognition, justice, and dignity. Gaoberekwe’s passing and his final resting place in the heart of the CKGR, an area central to the San’s identity and history, calls attention to the long-standing issues faced by this indigenous group. His burial is not just a personal loss but a symbolic act of defiance and resilience in the face of marginalization and displacement.
This event presents an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing struggle of the San people, whose rights to their ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and self-determination have been under threat for decades. The conversation surrounding Gaoberekwe’s burial highlights the importance of ensuring that the San community is fully engaged in transparent consultations to shape policies that directly affect their lives. Furthermore, it stresses the urgent need for a commitment to safeguarding their rights in accordance with international human rights standards.
The San Community’s Struggle for Recognition
The San people, also known as Bushmen or Basarwa, are one of the indigenous groups of Botswana, with a rich cultural heritage and deep connection to the land they have inhabited for millennia. However, their history in Botswana has been marred by forced displacement from their ancestral lands, particularly the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), which is home to many San communities.
The Botswana government’s relocation policies, beginning in the early 2000s, removed many members of the San community from the CKGR to resettlement areas, citing conservation efforts and development projects. The San, however, viewed these relocations as violations of their rights to their ancestral lands, leading to a series of legal battles and protests. Despite winning a landmark court case in 2006 that reaffirmed their right to live and hunt in the CKGR, many San people continue to face difficulties accessing their land and resources, and they remain marginalized within Botswana’s broader society.
Pitseng Gaoberekwe’s burial in the CKGR symbolizes not only a return to the land but also the San community’s continued resilience and fight for their rights. It represents a call to action for the Botswana government and international bodies to honor their commitments to indigenous rights and ensure that the San’s voices are heard in all matters that affect them.
The Importance of Transparent Consultations
One of the key factors in addressing the challenges faced by the San community is ensuring that they are fully engaged in transparent and inclusive consultations. For decades, policies regarding the San’s land and livelihoods have been shaped by external parties, often without meaningful consultation with the San themselves. This lack of engagement has contributed to mistrust between the San community and the government.
To honor the rights of the San people and pave the way for justice and reconciliation, it is essential that the government of Botswana, alongside other stakeholders, prioritize the inclusion of the San in decision-making processes. Transparent consultations that allow the San to express their views, concerns, and aspirations will help ensure that policies reflect their needs and desires.
Furthermore, these consultations should not be tokenistic or one-time events. They must be ongoing, with regular feedback loops and mechanisms for accountability. Only by ensuring that the San have a genuine seat at the table can policies be crafted that respect their rights and recognize their unique cultural identity.
Safeguarding Rights to Ancestral Lands, Cultural Heritage, and Self-Determination
Central to the San community’s struggle is the protection of their ancestral lands and the recognition of their cultural heritage. The CKGR is not just a geographical location for the San; it is an integral part of their identity, history, and way of life. The forced relocations and ongoing restrictions on their access to these lands have disrupted their traditional lifestyle and livelihoods, exacerbating poverty and social exclusion.
International human rights frameworks, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), emphasize the importance of recognizing and safeguarding indigenous peoples’ rights to their ancestral lands, territories, and resources. These rights are fundamental to their survival, cultural preservation, and self-determination.
To address these concerns, the government of Botswana must take active steps to uphold these international standards. This includes restoring full access to ancestral lands, ensuring that the San community can continue their traditional practices such as hunting and gathering, and providing support for cultural initiatives that allow the San to preserve their language, traditions, and customs.
Self-determination is another critical aspect of the San community’s rights. The San must have the ability to make decisions about their future, free from external pressures. This includes the right to govern themselves and to manage their resources in a manner that aligns with their values and priorities. Respecting their autonomy is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical imperative for the promotion of justice and equality.
Building Trust and Demonstrating Commitment to Justice
As Pitseng Gaoberekwe’s burial reminds us, the San community’s struggle for justice is far from over. For the government of Botswana to demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice, it must take concrete steps to address the San’s grievances and work towards restoring their dignity. This involves more than just legal recognition—it requires tangible actions that demonstrate respect for their rights and cultural heritage.
The burial, taking place on International Human Rights Day, offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. By fully engaging the San in consultations, safeguarding their rights to ancestral lands and cultural heritage, and respecting their right to self-determination, Botswana can build a more inclusive society that honors the legacy and contributions of the San people.
Pitseng Gaoberekwe’s burial in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a powerful reminder of the San community’s enduring fight for recognition and justice. On International Human Rights Day, it serves as a call to action for the government of Botswana and the international community to honor the rights of the San people by fully engaging them in transparent consultations, safeguarding their ancestral lands, and upholding their cultural heritage and self-determination. Only through these efforts can the trust between the San community and the state be rebuilt, and a genuine commitment to justice and equality be realized.
