13 Mar 2025

Government has announced an Inter-Ministerial Committee to comprehensively examine the situation of Basarwa in Botswana, including those in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana has revealed.
Delivering the ministry budget proposal to the National Assembly Committee of Supply on Wednesday, he said the initiative would move the country towards respecting the rights, culture and dignity of Basarwa while fostering national cohesion.
“At the heart of the Inter Ministerial Committee mandate is a review of the National Settlement Policy, assessing its impact on Basarwa livelihood both positive and negative, particularly regarding relocation and cultural preservation,” Mr Ramaotwana said. He further said the committee would work to find sustainable solutions to long-standing human rights concerns of Basarwa, while promoting natural unity in diversity. The committee will study international best practice and propose recommendations that align with Botswana’s social and economic realities," Mr Ramaotwana said.
He outlined the key focus areas as including, the transition from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle and its effect on Basarwa identity as well as implications on conservation laws, including hunting bans on their traditional way of life.
The legal and constitutional aspects relating to Basarwa’s rights, land claims and return to CKGR, infrastructure development within CKGR such as schools, healthcare, electricity and water provision, access to social protection and economic empowerment would also be considered. Additionally, Mr Ramaotwana said sustainable natural resource use, including community, based conservation as well as financial implications and resource mobilisation to support programmes for Basarwa would be assessed as well. “The committee will also assess the social and economic conditions of Basarwa who have undergone relocation and provide forward looking policy recommendations for their wellbeing,” Mr Ramaotwana said.
While Botswana is signatory to international human rights conventions, including International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, concerns remained about the rights of Basarwa, prompting government to plan remedial action, he said.
“At the 43rd Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Botswana was urged to strengthen protection of indigenous peoples, safeguard their land rights, prevent forced relocation, and ensure access to quality education and public services,” Mr Ramaotwana said. ENDS