The 'Bushmen' are the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, where they have lived for at least 20,000 years. Their home is the vast expanse of the Kalahari desert.
" n the middle of Botswana lies the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a reserve created to protect the traditional territory of the 5,000 Gana, Gwi and Tsila Bushmen (and their neighbours the Bakgalagadi), and the game they depend on.
In the early 1980s, diamonds were discovered in the reserve. Soon after, government ministers went into the reserve to tell the Bushmen living there that they would have to leave because of the diamond finds.
. . . . .. . . . . They are now gripped by alcoholism, boredom, depression, and illnesses such as TB and HIV/AIDS.
Unless they can return to their ancestral lands, their unique societies and way of life will be destroyed, and many of them will die. " survival-international.org
having personally met elders, young and academics in Botswana's resettlement camps, travelled through the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, aware of Diamonds and Mining companies' greed, under the guise of profts for their [ controlling] shareholdersi empathise thier plight,
so it is time for action ! NOW
- Write a letter to the Botswana government is a quick and simple way to let them know of your concern.
- Donate to the Bushman campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Botswana high commission or embassy.
- There is a campaign to boycott De Beers…
- Add your name to the 100,000 people who have already signed Survival’s Bushman petition.
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival…
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