Ju/’hoansi Were Here First
I WAS interested to note in the article entitled ‘Minister explains brown passports’ (The Namibian, 7 May) the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration remarking that “San people living at Tsumkwe were not born in Namibia but were brought from Angola by the Boers”.
The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of San who reside in the town of Tsumkwe and the surrounds of the Nyae-Nyae Conservancy are Ju/’hoansi, who are among the longest residing ethnic groups within Namibia. Archaeological evidence in the area points to habitation at least 4 000 years ago (Smith, 2001) by the same cultural group, and there are no known traditional stories within Ju/’hoansi society of their moving to or from any other place (Marshall, 1979). These and numerous other studies indicate the Ju/’hoansi lived here well before any Bantu or colonial groups.
Perhaps the Minister was referring to a larger area, as Tsumkwe is also the name given to the district that contains the Nyae-Nyae Conservancy (also known as ‘Tsumkwe East’) and N≠a Jaqna Conservancy and its surrounds (also known as ‘Tsumkwe West’). The western area, closer to Grootfontein, is populated in the majority by a different San group, the !Kung. The !Kung are a diverse group found from Omaheke to Angola and in parts of Botswana, sharing a common language and culture, and also have lived in these lands long before settlers arrived or borders were established.
A number of the San elders found in N≠a Jaqna Conservancy moved to this area from Kavango region and Ovamboland, whilst a significant number had lived in the area already within the Omatako Valley. Others came from Angola between the late 1960s and mid 1970s, escaping the conflict on the other side of the border. They were brought by the SADF to ‘sorting areas’ in Western Caprivi (including Omega base and Chetto) before being relocated to what is now N≠a Jaqna Conservancy – some employed by the SADF, but the majority as civilians, joining the San population already in the area.
Consequently the western area of Tsumkwe District presents a mix of majority Namibian San and some former residents of Angola, the latter having eked out a living and raised children for more than 30 years (more than enough for naturalisation) with meagre support. They consider themselves Namibian. The fact that they have not yet had access to identity documents to confirm their legal status is unfortunate, but given the remote location, illiteracy, poverty and lack of services, understandable.
I hope this letter clears up any confusion on the matter, and that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration will continue its important efforts to ensure all Namibians are provided with their basic documents, including those in Tsumkwe District.
Ben Begbie-Clench
Acting Regional Coordinator
WIMSA