Readers Have Their Say: “Bushmen” is a disrespectful term

“Bushmen” is a disrespectful term

The article on page 8 of The East African of December 14-20 caught my interest because of the headline: “Botswana president promises to restore some rights of Bushmen.” In the story, the name “Bushmen” is repeated two times; the article defines Bushmen as "an indigenous tribe of hunters and gatherers across Southern Africa." One would have been forgiven for thinking that one was reading an article from a 1950s edition of the National Geographic magazine. The editor had better intervene before The East African starts talking about the “Pygmies of Central Africa.”

Tom Siambey, Kajiado County

Public Editor: In the online edition there is another article headlined “Botswana being taken over by creeping xenophobia despite govt ‘compassionate’ policy,” which refers to the San people as “the marginalised Bushmen community.” The term "Bushmen" is considered outdated and potentially offensive by the San community and scholars. It’s advisable to use "San" or "San people," as these terms are generally more accepted and respectful.

Language preferences can vary among different groups, so it's best to listen to how individuals identify themselves. In newspaper articles, it’s best to use "San" or "San people" when referring to this group, as these terms are more widely accepted and deemed respectful. Many reputable publications have moved away from using "Bushmen" due to its colonial connotations.

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Cement story: What’s its utility value?

The story, “How cartels sell substandard and underweight cement” by Collins Omulo (Nation.Africa, Sunday, December 22, 2024, doesn’t tell how serious or widespread the problem is or the extent to which it affects us as readers and consumers. Your comment?

Shadrack Shikobe.

Public Editor: While the article discusses the dangers of substandard cement, I agree that it could provide more detail on how this issue directly affects consumers. There is insufficient information on how to recognise genuine products versus counterfeit ones. The article could provide estimates of the total volume of cement sold in the affected regions or the percentage of cement that is believed to be substandard.

A broader perspective on how many users might be at risk would paint a clearer picture of the scale of the problem. The story mentions hotspots like Athi River, Syokimau, and Kitengela, but it doesn’t delve into specific markets or sales outlets where this substandard cement is being sold.

Identifying particular hardware stores or distribution channels linked to this issue would help readers understand where to be cautious and how widespread the problem is. While the article reports on substandard cement, offering more detailed statistics and clearer insights into distribution networks could significantly enhance its impact and utility for readers. While the story provides some alarming details about substandard cement, it doesn’t offer enough data to gauge the magnitude of the problem.