I'm raising £25,000 for a memorial to celebrate the great Pitseng Gaoberekwe & to provide the San leaders with vital transport to visit their people living in the CKGR.

The San are one of the origins of mankind from around the ancient mega-lake Makgadikgadi in the north of Botswana. The part of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) set aside for them is roughly the size of Switzerland, with around 4,000 San dotted around the area. They are kind, generous people despite having little. The inhabitants live primarily from the land in small basic thatched huts, roaming the reservation foraging for roots and berries whilst being mindful not to deplete natural supplies. However, they also need clean water and the basics of life. The San leaders need sturdy 4x4s to navigate the rough, sandy desert terrain (there are no roads) to visit their people and help provide them with essential supplies and medicine.

Pitseng was a much loved and revered San leader, only leaving the reserve to receive urgent medical treatment in New Xade in 2021. Sadly he passed whilst he was there. The old Botswana government refused to let his family return his body to the CKGR for burial, triggering a prolonged and contentious battle which was finally won in late 2024 when the new president, ex-human rights lawyer Duma Gideon Boko of the UDC (Umbrella of Democratic Change), was elected.

I first met the wonderful people of the San in the 1980s when I lived in the Kalahari bush for 4 years as a diamond exploration geologist. I have returned many times and am proud to call many of them friends. I was honoured to be invited to Pitseng's burial in December 2024 following a solo trip to meet the San heads and villagers.

At the invitation of the likes of the great Roy Sesana, Smith Moeti, Jumanda Gakelebone and other leaders, I will drive 500kms from Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, through the CKGR to reach the Metseamanong settlement around December 8th. The route will cover uninterrupted, stark, but stunning desert landscape, host to lions, leopards, antelopes and even elephants! My bush 4x4, generously provided by the excellent ex-Director of Wildlife, Kabelo Senyatso, will be packed with basic camping essentials, water, staple foods, the odd football shirt and other gifts to spread some cheer. Iketeng "Nancy" will leave her young daughter, Willow, to accompany me along with various San en route.

Following the ceremony and festival I will trek the area; Gope (to revisit Nancy's parents Kaoronthshwa & Molathiwa and neighbour Gothusamang), Mothemelo, Kikao, Kugama, Kutse & Kaudwane, weather and terrain permitting. As a trusted friend of the San for 40 years, I will collate the thoughts, views and needs of the villagers before returning to the UK just before Christmas.

Your donations would be used in a variety of ways to help support this indigenous lineage, from the construction of a fitting memorial to Pitseng and a festival celebrating San culture, to providing the San with basic transportation and some simple life necessities.

I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you, wi-fi permitting, and will keep you updated via social media as often as I am able.

Thank you for your generosity; this is clearly a project close to my heart and with your kindness we can help the San honour their cultural roots and to help build a new future with hope as they deserve.

Xoboxabe Xaxa