The government says it will finally register 3 000 undocumented San people who live in Tsholotsho area starting on Monday next week.
Speaking on a post cabinet media briefing, Minister Of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said the registration of the San people is supposed to be done without any difficulties as the chiefs are going to assist with the commencement of the registration process on Monday next week.
“There are about 3 000 San people in Tsholotsho area; The 3 000 unregistered people should be registered without any hassles; The registration process will commence on Monday, 14 September,2021; and the chiefs will assist in the registration process, and nobody should be turned away,” said Mutsvangwa.
She added that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage was implored by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to go and consult chiefs in Tsholotsho community on the need to register the San people.
“Pursuant to a recent Cabinet decision on ensuring that the previously undocumented citizens among the San Community are catered for, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage was directed by the President to go and engage the community and Traditional Leadership on the issue,” she added.
The San are the oldest inhabitants of Southern Africa, the term, ‘bushman’, came from the Dutch term, ‘bossiesman’, which meant ‘bandit’ or ‘outlaw’. This term was given to the San during their long battle against the colonists.
San people are alleged to be descended from the first inhabitants of what is now Botswana and South Africa.
Moreso, San tribe have been living in Southern Africa for at least 30,000 years and they are believed to be not only the oldest African tribe, but quite possibly the world’s most ancient race. The San have the most diverse and distinct DNA than any other indigenous African group.
