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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue
Title:Basarwa: genuine targets of empowerment or pawns in a political power game?
Author:Lucas, Taolo Boipuso
Year:2008
Periodical:Botswana Notes and Records (ISSN 0525-5090)
Volume:40
Pages:124-134
Language:English
Geographic term:Botswana
Subjects:empowerment
power
San
social conflicts
Abstract:The Basarwa (variously referred to as Bushmen, Khoesan, San, Khoe or Kwe) remain poor and powerless in Botswana. Differrent stakeholders work with Basarwa in order to advance their empowerment. Ideally these different stakeholders should work together in a mutually symbiotic relationship where each may benefit from the other to meaningfully address the Basarwa situation. However, in practice the stakeholders have formed what is referred to in this paper as power blocs that compete with one another. The power blocs include government (politico-business power bloc), donor agencies, bureaucracies, the judiciary, intellectuals, the citizenry and the Basarwa themselves. Instead of empowering the Basarwa, these power blocs are involved in a relentless conflict to achieve greater power for themselves. Manipulation, intrigue, bickering, posturing, tokenism and mere symbolism often characterize the relationship of the various stakeholders. The result has been failure to empower the Basarwa. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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