Informant38

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In a special focus on the Bushmen's plight, the September edition of The Ecologist reveals that since 1997, the government of Botswana has been uprooting the Bushmen from their ancestral lands, and moving them to resettlement camps. Reasons given have included the Bushmen's 'development', and conservation of the area.
In fact, the exact opposite is taking place.
An exploration boom aimed at securing lucrative profits from the exploitation of future diamond mines on the reserve is well under way, and there has been a huge increase in diamond concessions in the reserve since the Bushmen evictions.
De Beers, the world's largest diamond company is one of the major players.
Botswana produced 29% of the world's diamonds by value in 2001, far more than any other country. In that year, diamond sales from Botswana amounted to $2.3 billion. This accounts for 70% of Botswana's foreign exchange earnings and 50% of government revenue.
One company, Debswana (ie De Beers Botswana), which is jointly owned by the Botswana government and De Beers, controls Botwana's diamond mining industry.
There is no doubt that Botswana matters to De Beers, who at present control over 50% of the world's gem diamond production.

survival international
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the Gana and Gwi 'Bushmen' do not wear jewelry
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An illusion of progress
Kirkpatrick Sale
The Ecologist