Bushmen of Botswana, S. Africa visit U.S to Publicize Human Rights Violations by Botswana Government
Bushmen contingent from S. Africa and Botswana to tour the U.S in September to speak about their forced relocation from their ancestral lands by Botswana government and subsequent court battle to win them back.
(PRWEB) July 24, 2004 -- The San, or Bushmen, of Southern Africa's Kalahari are the oldest culture on the planet -- dating back at least 70,000 years. Hunter-gatherers with a culture based around healing, they do not make war, and promote gender equality as part of their way of life. Yet in recent years these gentle people have been hounded almost out of existence by cattle ranching, diamond mining and cultural genocide. Today, the Bushmen stand on the edge of extinction: less than 10,000 traditional San Bushmen remain across the six countries of the Kalahari (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe , Zambia and Angola). Everywhere else they exist as serfs on other peoples' farms, often treated appallingly, or as dispossessed slum-dwellers on the edges of the Kalahari's few towns.
To make matters worse, in 2002, an estimated 1800 of these last traditional San Bushmen were forcibly evicted by the Botswanan government from that countrys Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), to make way for new diamond mines (the area in dispute is about the size of Switzerland). Some who resisted were beaten and tortured. Now they sit in makeshift camps outside the reserve boundaries, forbidden to hunt and gather, slipping into an inevitable cycle of alcoholism and despair. However, with the help of a human rights law firm (Chennels Albertyn, South Africa), the CKGR Bushmen have now launched a land claim against the Botswana government, which comes to court in July, 2004. Public support is desperately needed to get the message out, and to raise funds to can keep the case open until it is won.
The Court Case
The CKGR Bushmen have a strong position. The CKGR was created specifically in 1961 to protect their traditional way of life. Moreover, Botswanas own constitution declares that any citizen may live wherever in the country he or she chooses. On top of this, in 1999 a similar land claim was won by Chennels Albertyn on behalf of the Xhomani Bushmen in neighboring South Africa -- so a regional precedent exists. However, the land claim alone is not enough. Pressure must also be brought to bear on the mining companies with concessions in the CKGR -- De Beers and BHP Billiton -- to demand that the Botswana Government allow the CKGR Bushmen to go home, live in peace and be compensated for the inevitable disruption that mining will eventually bring. Not much to ask for, one would think.
An American Journey
To bring attention to their plight, three CKGR Bushmen, and three of South Africas Xhomani are coming to the USA this August and September. Human-rights author journalist Rupert Isaacson, has been asked by them to co-ordinate the trip, which will start in LA, then head eastward to end up on Capitol Hill in DC and at the United Nations, New York. Artists for Amnesty is actively supporting both the cause and the journey.
Schedule
August 27 Artists for Amnesty fund raiser in Hollywood.
Sept 6-12th: The Bushman delegation will attend The Gathering, a week-long coming-together of elders and healers from over 25 indigenous communities around the world, in Big Bear, CA. Public may attend for the long weekend of Aug 9th through the 12th.
Sept 15th-20th, the Bushmen will travel through Arizona and New Mexico, hosted by the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo tribes.
Sept 21st Fund raising evening in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the Salon, an art gallery owned by photographer Dianne Elise Strauss.
Sept 22nd, Bushmen arrive in DC area, to speak at an Amnesty International-sponsored event (venue tba) as well as appearing before the Human Rights Caucus, the Africa Sub-Committee, the State Department and local media.
Sept 25th, the Bushmen arrive NYC
Sept 26th Press Conference at the Explorers Club, Upper West Side, evening talk at the American Museum of Natural History, supported by Amnesty International
Sept 27th Bushmen delegation put their plight before the United Nations
Sept 28th, the Bushmen fly home.
Other events TBD
Media:
NPR will have a correspondent covering the journey for radio expeditions -- in addition to which the Bushmen will make radio and television appearances as they travel. Associated Press and the BBC World Service will also provide coverage, as will O (Oprah) Magazine and National Geographic Magazine. A documentary will be made of the journey.
Team Members:
CKGR Bushmen -- Roy Sesarna and Jumanda Gakelebone along with translator/facilitator Beata Kasale
Xhomani Bushmen -- Izaak, Vetkat and Belinda Kruiper
Coordinators: Rupert Isaacson, Kim Langbecker and Dr Megan Biesle, Kalahari peoples Fund
Also accompanying the Bushmen through Arizona and New Mexico will be several other healers from Africa, including two Maasai (Kenya)as well as a Maori tribal elder who face similar land issues in their native country.
Artists for Amnesty invites you to help us publicize both the Bushman journey across America and their plight back home. Please, don't let the oldest culture in the world disappear, just for the sake of a few diamonds.
Background Information
www.thehealingland.com
www.journeytotheheart.org
www.kalaharipeoples.org
www.survival-international.org
www.ihcenter.org/groups/ilrf.html
Contacts:
Artists for Amnesty:
Bonnie Abaunza or Mario Tafur: 310 815 0450, babaunza@aiusa.org, mtafur@aiusa.orh
Amnesty International (East Coast)
Adotai Akwei, 202 544 0200
Organizers:
Rupert Isaacson, 512 281 5888, rupertisaacson@hotmail.com
Kim Langbecker, 310 815 8433; kimlangbecker@sbcglobal.net
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