01 May 2025

Basarwa from Tsutsuga, Setoto, Makolwane, Matswake, and neighbouring settlements in Letlhakane have decried lack of burial sites in their areas. 

This issue was highlighted during a kgotla meeting held at Buuhe ward recently, as part of the ongoing Inter-Ministerial Committee consultations aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the Basarwa in Botswana.

Residents expressed their distress over being prohibited from burying loved ones in Tsutsuga, where they have historically laid their ancestors to rest. Ms Bagopoleng Ntshwarelang of Tsutsuga voiced frustration about the distance that families travelled to Mosu for burials, despite Tsutsuga being their home.

“We were told Tsutsuga is a farmland, not a residential area, yet we have buried our grandparents here,” she said.

Ms Ntshwarelang accused those in power for applying double standards, stating that while community members were allocated ranches in areas where their ancestors were buried, others had received licenses for liquor outlets yet the area was classified as farmland.

Furthermore, she said some authorities took advantage of their lack of knowledge, often appropriating boreholes registered in their names without consent.

Similarly, Mr Aupa Ngongorego from Setoto complained of lack of access to resources saying, “we sdo not have access to water, land, and burial sites.” 

Other residents, including Ms Oganeditse Galetshose of Letlhakane Phase One and Ms Rebatho Ntheeng of Metsiaela, echoed sentiments of having been defrauded of inherited boreholes.

Representing Basarwa of Buuhe ward, Mr Onosi Oabile articulated the community’s desire for increased representation in local governance and called for the establishment of additional wards comprised of Basarwa.

He emphasised the need for a representative at the main kgotla and the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, and underscored the ongoing challenges regarding land access, noting that many Basarwa worked as herdboys.

In response, Mr Kabelo Ebineng, a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, condemned the treatment of the Basarwa during funeral arrangements. He acknowledged biase in land and borehole allocations favouring other tribes and pointed out that the Basarwa were historically displaced from their homeland without proper relocation guidelines. He also recognised the unique cultural customs of the Basarwa people.

Buuhe ward Councillor Monkgogi Gakesebone called for change of Ngwato Main land board to a more inclusive and called for the review of the tribal land act. ENDS