WIMSA's Background

WIMSA was established in 1996 in response to the requests of San communities across southern Africa for the establishment of an NGO which would effectively represent their problems, needs and concerns.

WIMSA's regional office was set up in Windhoek , Namibia in order to co-ordinate efforts for San living across the entire southern African region. The WIMSA Team contains both San and non-San members of staff, although the organisation is governed by a Board consisting of San people from South Africa , Botswana and Namibia . WIMSA is also represented in Botswana by ‘WIMSA Botswana' which operates from a small office from D'kar, near Ghanzi.

For ten years WIMSA has worked closely with a variety of partners in relation to San human rights, cultural heritage and development. WIMSA's current partners include national and international governments, NGOs, UN agencies, researchers, the media and donors.

Most importantly, WIMSA has always sought to build up a strong grassroots membership amongst San communities themselves across southern Africa . These groups are often living in very remote areas with restricted access to modern communication infrastructures and this can present great logistical difficulties for both WIMSA employees and San communities. Despite this, many San frequently contact the regional WIMSA office in order to seek assistance with issues such as human rights abuses, political representation, development assistance, the protection of natural resources, aid relief, cultural practices and access to formal education.

WIMSA's Mission Statement

To assist the San in gaining political recognition,
To assist the San in gaining better access to financial, human and natural resources,
To raise human rights awareness and to provide legal assistance,
To support San communities in becoming self-sustainable,
To network and serve as a resource information centre for San and other support organisations,
To support the San in regaining their identity and pride in their cultures,
To form a Regional San Council that will represent the San in southern Africa,
To support the San in achieving recognition of their own traditional leadership structures,
To raise and manage funds for the purpose of carrying out WIMSA's objectives,
To remain committed to democratic principles.

[ WIMSA Home ] [ WIMSA’s Background ] [ WIMSA Team ] [ WIMSA Board ]