When the war for independence erupted in Angola in the 1960s most of the San maintained their traditional lifestyle as hunters and gatherers, unaware of the political situation, while a war raged around them.
But when a village of 300 !Xun was massacred by independence fighters in the 1970s the San were thrust into the modern world and into the war. This event has been virtually ignored by history because the San, or “Bushmen” have always rested on the lowest rung of the African ladder. Their involvement in the Angolan war has never been fully understood.
When the Portuguese pulled out of Angola the San faced the threat of persecution from every corner because they had fought with the colonialists. Shortly after, through an agreement in which they had little say, the !Xun & Khwe found themselves bound to the South African Defense Force. A “Bushman Battalion” was formed and San marched to war in Namibia. Once again, ill informed of the political dynamics.
Later, in the 1990s, the SA military promised houses and employment for those wishing to make a new life in South Africa. Instead, they languished in the desert living in tents for 14 years and the “Bushmen Battalion” was disbanded leaving in its wake, poverty, a population with no tangible job skills, and a deep despair.
Five years ago the !Xun & Khwe moved to Platfontein, farm land purchased by pooling their resettlement grants. The community still faces many, many challenges but they are making progress.
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