23 Oct 2026

President Advocate Duma Boko has congratulated Dr Roy Sesana on being awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by the University of Botswana (UB) in recognition of his contribution to the advocacy for indigenous rights and the dignity of the San people.

Speaking at UB’s 44^th graduation ceremony in Gaborone on October 23, President Boko described Dr Sesana, as an ardent advocate and a true champion of indigenous people’s rights, noting that he was at the forefront of efforts to defend the rights of communities affected by relocations from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).

He further recognised Dr Sesana’s role as the first applicant in the landmark legal case that challenged the treatment of Basarwa communities in the reserve, a case that became a significant chapter in Botswana’s legal history.

Dr Sesana, a member of the San (Basarwa) community, was born in Molapo in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and has spent decades advocating for the rights of indigenous communities, particularly their ancestral land, cultural identity and traditional way of life.

He co-founded First People of the Kalahari (FPK) in 1991, alongside John Hardbattle, an organisation that advocates for the rights of the San people.

He rose to international prominence through his opposition to the relocation of San communities from the CKGR, arguing for their right to remain on their ancestral land and preserve their traditional livelihoods.

In recognition of his efforts, Sesana received the Right Livelihood Award in 2005 for his struggle to secure the rights of the San people to their land and traditional way of life. ENDS