I would love to also be among the citizens of Botswana to make a contribution with regard to Basarwa struggle in Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Of late there have been debates around Basarwa condition of living and Government attitude towards them. I am one of those who will always direct his sympathy and support to the struggle of First People of the Kalahari. I appreciate FPK efforts in taking courage, striving ceaselessly and fighting bravely, that they may prove to the Government and the World their incontestable right to be counted among the great brotherhood of mankind as correctly stated by Che Guevara that; “future history will be written by the hungry masses who have been ill-treated and despised by imperialism.”
It is no doubt that FPK have a mammoth task of engaging with Government on attainment of their rights as John Sweat Rock said: ‘to contend against the government is as difficult as it is to sit in Rome and fight with the Pope’. All the same, it is very important that all dishonesty and unrighteous oppression toward Basarwa is rebuked. There are people who argue that Botswana Constitution Bill of Rights is sufficient to make Mosarwa an equal citizen of Botswana. Such an opinion lacks intellectual honesty and places Mosarwa legally in a nondescript condition, as the Constitution uses no affirmative language to make them such. The Constitution only recognises and reaffirms the universal principle that the people born in the country constitute the nation. Basarwa do not enjoy in the fullest manner all the civil rights under the Constitution of Botswana.
They are not rendered capable of holding and allocating land, same as the soÔÇôcalled major tribes. There is no express statutory provision to have in existence the Basarwa Land-Board despite their pre-existence in Botswana prior to any of us now living in Botswana. Power to control land and water are so indispensable to rational and useful enjoyment of life, that without them citizenship itself loses much of its value, and liberty seems little more than a name.
When Basarwa ask for equal treatment with all others, they make no unnatural and strange demand as some egoistic Batswana would claim. It is their rightful claim as they demand such in the name of that equality of rights and privileges which is the vital element of Botswana law: Equal in freedom, sustained by law; equal in citizenship, defined and supported by the law; equal in the existence of political powers as regulated and sanctioned by law. The Government has no right to be a partner in a conspiracy (of making people citizens without rights or subjects without consideration) which can shake the very foundation of government. The Government`s absolute right to land and other natural resources cannot be equal to Mosarwa`s right to access water. The very claim invalidates itself. Access to water is the inalienable right of every human being that cannot be compromised for the sake of peace and prosperity.
The goodness of peace and prosperity to the Government can bear no relative comparison to the right to access water. Even the Government apologists cannot be willing to live without the right to access water. Denying Mosarwa access to water is treason against God, man and the nation. The BDP Government being a government that purports to cherish Christian values must apply the Christian – Golden rule ÔÇô of “doing unto others as we would have them do unto us”.
Botswana`s ruling class is very much aware of Basarwa habits. They have tested their fidelity and love in ample time. Basarwa have cleared forests of the ruling class and national bourgeoisie, they have tilled their fields, herded their livestock and continue to nurse their children. They have proved their loyalty to the ruling class. The ruling class knows very well that Basarwa are the most patient, faithful, law ÔÇôabiding and are people leading in being free of anger and hate in our country despite their suppression.
The truth is Basarwa of CKGR are being sacrificed to the covetousness of natural resources by the ruling class in private partnership with the multinational corporations. Their liberties are taken away, their family life is being put to shame, their just aspirations are repressed, and avenues of advancement and culture are taken from them. The negative attitude displayed towards FPK and Basarwa of CKGR is from the commonly held view by Batswana and not international tourists as state media would want to propagate, that Basarwa are; poor, weak and humble. The ruling class does not view Basarwa as people who are the equal and who deserve an impartial and equal treatment. Mosarwa is a good fellow while he is a pauper and toils for nothing; but the moment he claims his rightful place he is a most intolerable creature. The problem as regards Basarwa of CKGR is that their interests are in clash with those of the ruling faction, hence the reason they are stripped of their right to access water.
If there be any efforts by Government, tending to curtail the fullest growth of Basarwa, let these efforts be turned into stimulating, encouraging and making them useful and intelligent citizens. Basarwa need to be helped and encouraged to special education with specific target to wildlife and tourism as these form part of their natural existence, so that they also can venture into wildlife safaris businesses. If BDP Government is appreciable and helpful and protective to others, then Basarwa also want the same experiment. Let Government place Basarwa in control of their land, even as other tribes are in control of their own territories. Only this can enable Basarwa themselves, to make a fulfilling life for themselves, and that is maybe then that Government can get rid of pressures from Survival International as John Mercer Langston said: “those who guard and support the structure of democracy, should accept, in all its comprehensiveness, the sentiment that all men are created equal, and that governments are established among men to defend and protect their inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Gaontebale Mokgosi
Ramotswa
