Acknowledging that education is not a new concept for the San, San parents, who are hunter-gatherers, share that there has been deep rooted change in the development of San education. They conclude that education for the San was, in the past, a sophisticated system of transferring knowledge. That system focused on certain learning cycles, and the themes mostly had to do with their survival, including knowledge of plants and animals, but also responsibility for one another and for the total well-being of their group. This education respected the child’s role and contribution to survival.
I’m a native speaker of Naro from Botswana’s Ghanzi District. I’m a defender of of Indigenous rights and a strong supporter of inclusive social policy. As a young person from a very marginalized group, I have grown to understand the importance of culture in todays society. Whereas I know that change is inevitable, without the knowledge of where you come from and ideals that you represent, can bring harm to the very fight of the right to self-determination. I support all those who advocate towards them.
