totophoto: Odd Andersen/AFP
The 'Bushmen' are the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, where they have lived for at least 20,000 years. Their home is in the vast expanse of the Kalahari desert. There are many different Bushman peoples � they have no collective name for themselves, and the terms 'Bushman', 'San', 'Basarwa' (in Botswana) and so on are used variously. Most of those which are widely understood are imposed by outsiders and have some pejorative sense; many now use and accept the term 'Bushmen'. They speak a variety of languages, all of which incorporate 'click' sounds represented in writing by symbols such as ! or /.
In August 2000, officials from the wildlife department and local police department in Rakops, a town in eastern Botswana, entered the Bushman village of Molapo, in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The officers said that Bushmen had been 'over-hunting' or hunting animals which are not included on the 'special game licences' which they now need to hunt at all. Around 20 men and four women were pushed around and hit; some of the men (including one too old to hunt) were then taken into the bush near Molapo and interrogated over a three to six day period until some said they had killed eland and/or giraffe. The links below are to some of the statements made to Survival by the Bushman men and women involved. (Please note that when names are not given, it is because the speakers feel safer remaining anonymous.)
Bushman A
Bushman B
Bushman C
Bushman D
Bushman E
Bushman woman
Survival News
Blackie Marole has officially taken over from Louis Nchindo as Debswana managing director. He took over on October 1, from Nchindo who retired on September 30, marking the end of his 30 year career in the industry. Born in 1955 at Semolale village, Marole has over 20 years experience in the diamond industry, 18 of which he served the government and four years as a De Beers executive.
Mmegi Business Week 04.Oct.04
