09 Dec 2024

At the centre of the second largest wildlife reserve in the world, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), in the cradle of Botswana’s dryland tourism safari, where the small settlement of Metsiamanong is positioned by mother nature, there is a beehive of activities as Basarwa prepare for the historic burial of one of their own - Pitseng Gaoberekwe.

“This is a great achievement for Basarwa as we are now finally finding closure in burying our father, who has been lying in the mortuary since December 2021,” said chairperson of  Indigenous People Group, Mr Roy Sesana in an interview at the deceased Gaoberekwe’s homestead in Metsiamanong on Sunday.

He said the burial, which was announced by President Advocate Duma Boko during State-of-the-Nation Address recently, sent a joyous wave amongst the Basarwa communities. 

The move, he said, was a restoration of hope amongst the community, ‘to see it happening in reality is a beautiful experience worth relishing as it is a clear demonstration of the new government’s respect for human rights and civil liberties,’ Mr Sesana said.

He underscored that there had been a long-standing tension between government and Basarwa who were against being moved from their ancestral land in CKGR to other areas outside the reserve. 

He said it was a violation of their rights as enshrined in international laws and treaties, adding that in 2000, the Basarwa were moved from Old Xade to New Xade against their will and they were against the move. 

This led to litigations that attracted attention of international human rights watch bodies such as survival International, United Nations as well as the then local attorney, Advocate Duma Boko.

He said the late Gaoberekwe’s case compounded their challenges as it dragged on for many years, adding that they appreciated that finally his burial would take place today. 

He said the President’s executive decision gave the Basarwa hope that there was light at the end of the tunnel if they continued to fight for their rights.

Meanwhile, Mr Sesana appreciated that government bowsed water and brought other amenities to their settlements inside the CKGR. 

However, he said more needed to be done as Basarwa lacked basic necessities such as healthcare, adding that they were grappling with poor living conditions as their right to the ancestral land was violated. 

He reasoned that government must bring developments to every Motswana wherever they were rather than be moved from their native place to attain services elsewhere.

He said the Basarwa were relocated against their will, adding that the new government had transformed that narrative. “We feel so free, that our rights are respected and we are hopeful that this continues,” he said.

He said Mr Gaoberekwe passed on while seeking healthcare services at New Xade as they were not available at Metsiamanong. According to Mr Sesana, government refusal to bury Gaoberekwe at his ancestral land was inhumane. He thus appreciated President Boko for upholding the rights of Basarwa, adding that the burial would be done on International Human Rights Day, which he noted was quite a significant milestone for the country.

An elder at Metsiamanong, Mr Kgatlhego Digobe appreciated President Boko for exercising his powers to grant the family the right to bury the deceased at his ancestral land. 

Nonetheless, he cautioned that holding the burial now would open old wounds for family members and as such called for them to be given psycho-social support.

The deceased elder brother, Mr Nare Gaoberekwe said it was disorientating that Mr Gaoberekwe could not be buried at his ancestral land for lack of permission. He said although he had relocated to New Xade and was enrolled under the government destitute programme, his last wish was to be buried at his ancestral land. 

“In our culture when a member of our clan dies we burry them the next day. What happened is totally against our tradition,” he said.

He appreciated the new government for delivering on its promise of burying the deceased according to his wish, calling for Basarwa ancestral spirits to bless the reign of the new government.

“It is a new dawn for us Basarwa and an embodiment of human rights. We now feel that our voice is heard as minority group,” he said.

Another family member, Mr Mongwegi Gaoberekwe said he was happy that Mr Gaoberekwe’s last wish was finally granted following a lengthy legal battle, adding that the family was on the verge of losing hope as the corpse laid in a mortuary for ‘a painful’ three years. 

He added that they sought assistance from the highest authority then, but in vain.

He also appreciated President Boko, who had been instrumental in the case for many years, adding that they were happy to have him at the highest office of authority, as he was a shrewd human rights advocate who had fought for the rights of the Basarwa over the years.

He said their hearts had been bleeding for justice for the deceased and it was finally served, adding that they now felt inclusivity and closure, pointing to the open grave, which they dug almost 3 years ago with the hope of burying their own.

On other issues, New Xade settlement, Kgosi Lobatse Beslag said a few selected family elders led by the uncle spend yester night with Mr Gaoberekwe’s corpse in a traditional Basarwa hut, which was built for the purpose. 

Kgosi Beslag said due to the influence of modernity, the Basarwa had started to integrate other cultures in their way of conducting a funeral ceremony such as using such things as a coffin. He said before civilisation, they buried the deceased within two days, wrapped in animal skin.

He cautioned that according to Basarwa customs and traditions, engaging in sexual activities during funeral preparations was forbidden and it could attract bad omen for those who go against tradition.

Mr Gaoberekwe’s burial will be conducted by the Zion Christian Church. Ends