Resisting Climate Change Comes at the Expense of Khoisan Traditions
Ndliso-Ndliso Sibanda, a descendant of Southern Africa’s ancient Khoisan tribe, still practises a semi-nomadic life style in Zimbabwe despite his 75 years, and is constantly on the move looking for wood to construct shelter, and wild fruits and tubers when they are in season.
Ndliso-Ndliso, who lives with his family in Tsholotsho, a district in Matabeleland North Province, has continued his life style despite the stringent rules enacted by the government country to protect the environment as it wages war against the impact of climate change.
Khoisan homes are constructed using tree branches and grass, which environmental experts here have said poses a threat to the country’s already fading forests, but Ndliso-Ndliso is not of the same opinion, saying that nature is part of his very being.
Zeke duPlessis