22 May 2016

Botswana is in the process of developing an Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy as a framework to protect cultural practices and enhance the contribution of communities to their own socio-economic development.

This was said by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Togwane at the 15^th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The 15^th PFII themed: Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and resolution, is attended by member states and indigenous peoples’ representatives. The session covered implementation of the six mandated areas of the PFII with reference to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); conflict, peace and resolution; and coordination among the three UN mechanisms on indigenous affairs.

A statement from his office says Mr Tsogwane said in consultation with communities living in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the government of Botswana had established a consultative structure for remote area communities to represent their interest.  

“This process has proved to be fruitful and government has acceded to the needs of the communities by providing water to the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR) human settlements,” he said.

In the area of social development, the minister said efforts were made by government to empower communities, which entailed; amongst others, social protection, economic empowerment programmes and other national programmes aimed at improving their livelihoods.

The government of Botswana, Mr Tsogwane said provided universal education from early childhood to tertiary level which was accessed by all including children from remote area communities. 

“A high percentage of Batswana have access to health services, even in remote areas where there are no health posts or clinics Government makes efforts to provide mobile health services,” he said.

Furthermore, he said government also considered and approved the use of mother tongue language and early childhood development through the Presidential Commission of Education.  In large part, he said delay in implementation of these essential aspects was due to economic and practical factors as opposed to willingness on the part of government.  

In July 2015, the minister said the government approved the National Land Policy which recognised that “all Batswana have land rights including remote area communities.” 

This policy, Mr Tsogwane said attested to the existence of people in vulnerable situations in the society ‘whose rights and access to land should be acknowledged, realised and protected.’ 

Additionally, he said, “the policy also dictates that allocation of land must be expedited and preferential treatment applied in their favour.” 

In order to sustain livelihoods, he said, Remote Area Communities living in the periphery of wildlife management areas and national monuments were given the opportunity to form community trusts to benefit from the natural and cultural resources in these areas through the Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme. 

In addition, to also realise the aspiration of leaving no one behind, Mr Tsogwane said the government was committed to ensuring that all citizens enjoyed their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Botswana Constitution and international instruments on human rights.

Botswana, the minister said was also committed to the United Nations Declaration on UNDRIP and continued to be guided by the various international human rights instruments to which the country was party to, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

The country‘s position, Mr Tsogwane said had been that all tribes and ethnic groups were indigenous to the country, ‘but being mindful of the fact that there are other sections of our population, especially Remote Area Communities, that are  generally socially and economically sand still deserve special attention.’ 

“We remain steadfast in our resolve to uphold the human rights of all citizens including the human rights of vulnerable groups, women, children, youth, people with disabilities and remote area communities,” he added.

Furthermore, he said Botswana continued to make steady progress in addressing the needs of remote area communities. This, he said was being pursued through consultations and creation of space for their active participation in the development of national policies and programs that were inclusive and respected cultural diversity, and promoted equitable social development and land distribution. 

The Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Area Communities of 2014, the minister said was a targeted response by the Botswana government to accelerate service delivery to, and participation by, Remote Area Communities.  

He also said there was a National Policy on Culture which outlined issues of cultural preservation and development, adding that the Botswana National Cultural Council was established as an apex body to implement the policy. The policy, he said advised government on cultural issues across all ethnic groups including those of remote area communities.  ENDS