Namibian San People Begins A New Chapter With Red Cross Seed Distribution

BY: Morning-Star Rosario, Namibia Red Cross Society

It is shortly after noon, and Namibia Red Cross Society staff and volunteers are on a mission: to reach the village of Omatako in western Tsumkwe for seed distribution. Close to 150 San residents await them and more villagers are walking towards the distribution point to receive the seeds they had patiently waited for, since the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Southern Africa food security appeal was launched in late November 2005.

"I am really honored to witness this chapter in our lives evolve. As a San person facing food insecurity, the seed will help us defeat hunger," says San Chief John Arnold of Omatako village proudly.

It is obvious these San people live a life different from the nomadic life they were accustomed to. In Omatako, one can see homes, a primary school, a small clinic, crop fields and even livestock such as goats and cattle. "Yes, we are very happy living like this. Our children get to attend school and we are not moving from one place to the next. We have settled here. This is our land," Chief Arnold continues.

Behind Chief Arnold, the Namibia Red Cross Society's volunteers, disaster management and food security staff are in full swing at the seed distribution point. Disaster management and Risk reduction Chris Wimmerth says; "The distribution of seed will help the San community to sustain and continue their livelihood." Gratitude is a clear sign on the San people's faces as they collect their seed parcels one family at a time. "I can't wait to start planting. The rain has been good to us and I have a lot of work ahead of me to ensure enough food for my children and my community". Says villager Ngugas Kambembe.

Kambembe is a hard hardworking San man, whose field is filled with maize, sorghum, beans and other vegetation. "I didn't sit and feel sorry for myself during hard times. I went to Mr. Peter Skalk (a farmer) and begged him for a tractor in exchange for maize I would grow in my field. All I needed was a tractor and a few seeds."

Today, Kambembe's crops are well on their way to harvest, and he has planted some of the left over seed in the government's