What about our rights? Settlements, subsistence and livelihood security among Central Kalahari San and Bakgalagadi

Abstract

The San of Botswana have had to cope with government policies, including ones aimed at assimilation and sedentarisation which had significant impacts on their subsistence and social security. In response, San and non-government organisations working with them attempted to draw on the international discourse on indigenous peoples' rights in their efforts to assert their rights. This paper examines the background and implications of a legal case brought by San and Bakgalagadi residents of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve against the government of Botswana for the relocation of people outside of the reserve and the cessation of services and water provision. While the government of Botswana argues that the most effective strategy to deal with rural, disadvantaged peoples is to establish settlements for them to provide services, questions are raised concerning the viability of this approach.