I have learned new things that I never knew before

"I have learned new things that I never knew before"

In October 2008, eight San from Platfontein and the southern Kalahari respectively arrived at !Khwa ttu to participate in a 9-month training course. They were joined by Anna Ais, an intern from north-western Namibia. The training consists of a combination of on-the-job training, integrated training sessions, a project on edible and medicinal plants and nature guiding, as well as a cultural guiding courses. This broad programme will certainly contribute to meet the trainees' expectations which Anna sums up by saying: "I like to be a teacher and a learner at the same time. Women can also be guides. I want to be a San lady guide". Read more

And indeed, the training is a mutual learning and teaching experience for both the trainees and the trainers. "Before I came here I only knew about the ‡Khomani's culture and traditions. I thought they were the main people, now I know the biggest group of San lives in Botswana", Ivan Vaalbooi describes the aha-effect one of the integrated training sessions had on him. Hinting at the sharing of knowledge amongst the trainees themselves he adds, "Now I know about the !Xun and Khwe and where they come from. I also know some words in their language". Expanding their knowledge about San groups other than their own has clearly contributed to their self-assurance. As Collin Coetzee reveals "I am very interested in learning about the other San groups. At school I was not really interested in my own history. Now I have gained self-confidence and I speak about my history [‡Khomani's history] in front of other people".

Besides learning about the past and present of the San communities of southern Africa the trainee guides are also familiarised with the indigenous flora and fauna of the South African West Coast. Both the garden trail project on edible and medicinal plants, as well as the nature guide training provide ample opportunities to compare the plants and their habitat in their home places with that at !Khwa ttu. Arnestu Kabihala, a !Xun-speaking man from Platfontein, has already a clear idea of what he would like to do with his newly acquired knowledge, "I think I have a future because I have learned a lot. I can identify plants. Some day I can maybe get a job at a nature reserve where they make medicine".

The opportunity of working while receiving training is another important aspect of the training programme for the trainees. This is underlined by Joaquim Chimbende, a 33-year old Xun, who points out, "I like the [on-the-job] training on the tour because when I talk with people I learn new things". The possibility to "do every day something new" is not only appreciated by André Vaalbooi, a young ‡Khomani man from the southern Kalahari, but by the entire group of trainee guides.

The practicality in which the programme is embedded and the wealth of information it provides has inspired Lotsia Sinhanque, a 28-year old Khwe woman and her fellow trainees to "tell the people about my experience I have had here at !Khwa ttu, when I go back to Platfontein" and Arnestu adds, "I will tell the people of my community, who are interested in learning, what I have learned".

The experience of frequently accompanying senior guides on the !Khwa ttu tour and complementing this with information about a wide range of crucial components referring to the San, tourism, ecology, botany and climate has been thoroughly enjoyed by the trainees. Nunke Kadhimo, a 21-year old Khwedam-speaking woman, expresses the sentiments of her fellow trainees when she conveys "I like my training because I learn something new every time and I have a lot of information when I go home". Only after three months of training, it seems clear to some of the trainees that working as a professional tour guide is exactly what they would like to do in their future. Hendrik Vaalbooi, a young ‡Khomani man seems to have set himself a goal: "I dream about having a tour operating business one day". And Lotsia intends to "talk to the leaders and maybe they will help me to get a job as a tour guide. I am very proud of myself because I have learned new things here".

The trainees and the trainers are convinced that the training programme will continue in a motivating and stimulating spirit for the following six month.

Enthusiasm that can`t be stopped
I like to share knowledge
The young, the elderly and the visitors