“Saying You Will Help Is Not Enough” : Exploring Capacity-building Efforts Among San Community-Based Organizations in Botswana

Abstract

The Indigenous San in Botswana, frequently encounter development projects aiming to alleviate socio-economic disparities, often through a conservation-focused framework called Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). However, this framework imposes Western notions of conservation and governance, thereby neglecting the Indigenous knowledge system of the San and their traditional conservation strategies. This thesis focuses on capacity-building within this context and seeks to identify challenges faced by San community-based organizations (CBOs) operating within the CBNRM framework. Through qualitative research methods and the use of semi-structured interviews, the thesis examines the existing support structure for two San CBOs in the Ngamiland district of northern Botswana and evaluates the effectiveness of capacity-building interventions. Findings reveal capacity deficits in crucial areas that hinder the San CBOs' operational effectiveness, such as governance, drafting proposals, receiving project funding, and signing joint-venture agreements. The findings suggest the need for more frequent interventions using conventional capacity-building approaches that address these areas by focusing on technical skills and training. The need for strengthening the capacity of the other stakeholders, especially the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), is also identified to better fulfill their responsibilities in the support structure. However, the existing support structure, utilizing conventional approaches to capacity-building, are shown to lack consideration for San cultural norms and customs, and fail to address building the societal capacity of the San. The study underscores the importance of aligning capacity-building with cultural context and fostering societal capacity for empowering Indigenous communities. This thesis advocates for a shift towards more culturally sensitive and inclusive practices and consideration for San Indigenous knowledge in capacity-building policy and methods. Such a shift would help make capacity-building programs in Botswana more effective for the San, thereby promoting genuine community empowerment and more meaningful participation in their development affairs.