From Genocide to Marginalisation: Narratives of San Communities in Namibia – Workshop Presentations

Full title of the workshop: From Genocide to Marginalisation: Narratives of Historical and Contemporary Realities of the !Xun, Ju|’hoansi, Naro and Haiǁom San Communities in Namibia.

Organiser: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Namibia (FES)

Date & Time: Tuesday, 28 April 2026, 09:00 – 13:00

Venue: Hotel Thüringerhof, Cnr. Independence Avenue / Prof. Mburumba Kerina St (former Bahnhof St), Windhoek

Information on the research project by the funding organisation FES:

This report by Dr. Fenny Nakanyete presents preliminary findings from her qualitative fieldwork, conducted among San communities in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa Regions.

To be more specific, these communities are situated in Grashoek, Tsumkwe, Nyae-Nyae Conservancy, Gobabis, Drimiopsis, Tsaka, Kalkfeld and Otjiwarongo.

The purpose of this phase was to document oral histories and lived experiences related to colonialism, genocide, and their intergenerational effects. A particular focus was placed on women and youth.

Programme of the workshop:

Presenter: Dr Fenny Ndapewa Nakanyete
Facilitator: Ms. Hileni Doufi Namalambo (see workshop frame as PDF)

09:00 – 09:15 – Welcoming and Introductory Remarks: Project Manager Sylvia Mundjindi on behalf of FES Country Director Hajo Lanz.

09:15 – 09:45 – Presentation of Findings: From Genocide to Marginalisation: Dr Fenny Ndapewa Nakanyete (see presentation as PDF).

09:45 – 10:15 – [Skipped] The Status Quo: Opportunities and Challenges for the Marginalised Communities: Office of the Vice-President.

[10:15 – 10:45 – Tea Break.]

10:45 – 11:05 – Developmental Projects for the San Community to create jobs and address youth unemployment amongst the San Community”: Dr. Patrick Simalumba, Director of the National Institute for Development, Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture.

11:05 – 11:25 – Inclusion of the San Community in Policy Discussions: Restorative Justice and Reconciliation Process between Namibia”: representative of the Affected Communities on the Genocide, Apology, and Reparation (GAR) Technical Committee, Mr. Festus Ueriuka.

11:25 – 11:45 – Voices from the San Community: Mr Elvis N≠amce, Ms Maria Garises and Ms. Ester Kazibe (see presentation as PDF).

11:45-13:00 – Discussions: Questions, Comments and Responses

Facilitator Hileni Nakanyete (l.) and participants listen to presentations of San community representatives Maria Garises, Ester Kazibe and Elvis Nǂamce. The workshop ‘From Genocide to Marginalisation’ took place on 28 April 2026. Venue: Thüringerhof Hotel, Windhoek. Organiser: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Namibia Office. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

• See the announcement of the workshop “From Genocide to Marginalisation: Narratives of San Communities in Namibia” in the ‘Events’ section of this website.

• See also the book “Beggars on our own land …” by Willem Odendaal (2024) in the ‘Secondary Sources’ section of this website. It is about the legal fight of the Haiǁom people for compensation. They were evicted from Etosha by the South African-controlled South West African Administration in 1954. The German colonial administration had proclaimed Etosha a national game reserve in 1907. However, the Haiǁom people were allowed to stay on their ancestral land.

‘From Genocide to Marginalisation: Narratives of Historical and Contemporary Realities of the !Xun, Ju|’hoansi, Naro and Haiǁom San Communities in Namibia’. Invitation to a presentation of research findings on 28 April 2026. Venue: Thüringerhof Hotel, Windhoek. Organiser: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Namibia (FES) Namibia Office. Poster: FES