WIMSA is a non-governmental regional network that coordinates and represents the interests of San peoples throughout southern Africa.
Membership: WIMSA membership is held by national San councils. These are representative bodies that advocate on behalf of San communities at different government levels. There are currently three San councils - the Botswana Khwedom Council, the Namibian San Council and the South African San Council. Once Angola has established a national San council, it will also be eligible for membership.
Board of Trustees: WIMSA is governed by an all-San Board of Trustees comprising three members from each of the three established San councils, plus an Angolan observer from a San support organisation. The Board also acts as a regional San council, aiming to carry out advocacy for San both regionally and internationally.
Secretariat: WIMSA is managed by a secretariat based in Windhoek, Namibia.
Programmatic areas: WIMSA’s activities fall into three broad categories:
- Human rights
- Education
- Heritage and intellectual property rights
Namibia Support Unit: Unlike other countries with sizeable San populations, Namibia does not have a national organisation leading San developmental activities. To fill the gap, WIMSA has stepped in with its own Namibia Support Unit, which supports and coordinates community-based organisations and grassroots development initiatives across the country. WIMSA's Mission Statement:
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