16 Jun 2025

Basarwa in Malatswae says they prefer their nomadic life noting that it is better than living in one place in the name of social welfare programmes which are inadequate.

During a meeting with the inter-ministerial consultation committee appointed to look at challenges affecting Basarwa on Sunday, Kgosi Dikabelo Bosigo of Malatswae said ever since they were relocated from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, their lives had never been the same.

He told the committee that their lives entailed working in cattle posts as casual labourers, sell handcrafts and firewood to supplement their income.

He said staying in cattle posts disadvantaged them as they could not access education and while their employers cheated them as they were regarded illiterate and did not know their rights.

Kgosi Bosigo said many of the residents relied on Ipelegeng and social welfare programme from council for survival.

He said most of them lost some of their properties including land during relocation process while the land board also failed to allocate them residential plots.

He said there should be a special dispensation for hunting quota for Basarwa to hunt wild animals in their areas.

Kgosi Bosigo indicated that Basarwa had indigenous knowledge for healing as well as practices on childbirth and called upon the government to support and nurture the practices.

One resident, Mr Gabarutwe Poloka told the committee that they wanted to have a representative at Ntlo ya Dikgosi.

They said Sesarwa language should be taught in schools and be used on radio stations to preserve it.

Mr Kebaeng Dikapolelo decried the poor state of health facilities in Basarwa settlements and struggled to visit health facilities as far as Mmashoro and Serowe. They said in most instances, a doctor visited them after a long time and only attended those with appointments. ENDS