SAMOCHIMA - The man who had dedicated his life to serving the less privileged members of the society and the recognition of, especially the San ethnic groups, in both Gantsi and Ngamiland districts and some parts of Southern Africa, has been laid to rest in Samochima.

Mr Abraham Braam Hercules le Roux, a pastor, crocodile farmer and founder of Kuru Family of Organisations (KFO), died recently due to an underlying heart problem, which he had carried for the past 15 years, albeit under good control, according to his wife, Mrs Willimien le Roux.

Braam was born in Kimberly, South Africa in 1951. He went to a theology school in Potchefstroom in 1979, and just like the Biblical Abraham, who was called to leave his country together with his people, looking forward to the city with foundation whose architect and builder was God, Braam was called as a missionary of the Reformed church from his native country, South Africa, to DKar , Botswana, in 1982.

He got involved in the struggle for the livelihoods and recognition of the San people and other ethnic groups. He then formed Kuru projects, a Non Governmental Organisation whose main objective was the development of the San people.

Later in 1986, according to Willimien, Kuru projects became Kuru Development Trust under his tutelage until 1993, during which time he was involved in the formation of the First People of the Kalahari and Working Groups of Indigenous Peoples in Southern Africa (WIMSA) which spearheaded worldwide recognition and support for the San people.

In 1998, Braam, who led the unbundling of Kuru into eight independent NGOs, started TOCaDI, a northern branch of Kuru in Shakawe. TOCaDI began as Ngamiland extension service for Kuru.

Mr Benson Dibebe, former coordinator told BOPA after the funeral service that TOCaDI now works with 15 communities including non San communities who are also struggling.

He said TOCaDI was owned by the San people to develop themselves, with the main focus being on culture and development.

It has so far given rise to Jakotsha, Okavango panhandle, Teemashane, Itekeng, Xheku and Bukakhwe.

Mr Dibebe further explained that TOCaDI encouraged the San people to exploit natural resources close to them to open up sustainable businesses, adding that it also helps syndicates, culture groups and traditional basket weavers to source funding.

So far, the organisation has helped Okavango basket weavers to get funding from womens affairs department, he disclosed.

Mr James Morris, one of the custodians of Kuru, based in DKar testified that Braam indeed opened up the minds of the San people.

He made us realise that its ok to be a San, which we now appreciate.

Though he had the means, Braam was described as a modest man who had no place for luxury.

Unlike most white people he had met, he said Braam struck him as a humble and down to earth person who could easily apologise when he had erred.

It was also revealed, with the aid of three San women from Dkar, Braam had translated Reformed church hymns to Naro, a dialect of San language.

Kgosi Koloi Sabo of Samochima, who also described Braam as a good loving man, urged his family to celebrate a life well lived, at the same time carrying his vision forward.

Braam is survived by his wife, of 34 years and children. BOPA