WIMSA's Training Achievements 1994-2004

Frequent training needs assessments are carried out in consultation with the San and over the years WIMSA's specialised courses have included:

San Traditional Leadership:

• Leadership training began in 1997 and continues on a yearly basis
• Workshops on Namibian Tradtional Authorities Act 1995, Mangetti, Namibia (1998)
• Training for Namibian secretaries to San Traditional Authorities, Namibia (1998)

Legal Training:

• Workshop on Land and Law for Namibian San communities from 1998 to 2001.
• Paralegal training for WIMSA's 7 San paralegals in Namibia; began in 2002 and continues in conjunction with the Namibian Legal Assistance Centre (LAC).
• Training with WIMSA's lawyer in relation to the protection of their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) (2002 onwards).

Other Training Workshops:
San communities, leaders and individuals have also received training in relation to a wide number of areas over the years. These courses have included:

• Training in Botswana on community mobilisation and tourism (1996) and tourism training for San guides from Nyae Nyae and Tsumke West, Namibia (1999).
• Capacity building training for Hai||om community leaders (2000).
• Oral history training for San from Botswana and Namibia (1999-2004).
• A San Public Relations course for San from Namibia and Botswana in Windhoek, Namibia (2002-2003).
• A San Youth training programme in Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Oshivelo and Otavi (2003 onwards).
• HIV/AIDS training for staff and community members at the Omaheke San Trust, Namibia (2003).

!Khwa ttu
The San's Cultural and Education Centre 'Khwa ttu', based near Yzerfontein, Western Cape, South Africa provides facilities for San from across southern Africa to receive both academic and vocational raining. Training at !Khwa ttu begain in 1999 and over the years has included courses and 'hands on' training in the following areas: administration, 'educare', teaching, game farm maintenance, building, land clearance, indigenous plant restoration, tourism development, heritage management, cooking, social development, communication skills, arts and crafts, team building and group dynamics.

WIMSA trainees
Since its inception in 1996 WIMSA has trained 20 young San women and men from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa (see photos) in administrative procedures and developmental issues. WIMSA trainees receive coaching in relation to their own personal interests, talents and in the areas that they wish to develop their own personal skills in. For example, some trainees have specialised in international representation of the San, whilst others have focussed on developing secretarial skills. The majority of the trainees have gone on to apply what they have learnt by serving their respective communities in community development and organisation.