Transforming Literacy Research for the Indigenous San of Botswana: Adopting appropriate research methods

Abstract

This paper seeks to advance reasons why appropriate research methods are important in conducting literacy research among the San peoples of Botswana, Southern Africa's first indigenous peoples. According to the Literacy Research Association, literacy research is “dedicated to promoting research that enriches the knowledge, understanding, and development of lifespan literacies in a multicultural and multilingual world.” In addition, the research should be “rigorous, methodologically diverse, and socially responsible” (Literacy Research Association, n.d.). The researchers developed an argument for the inclusion of the Southern African Philosophy of Botho (known as Ubuntu in South Africa) as a theoretical framework in San research. According to Chilisa and Preece (2005), Ubuntu/Botho preaches respect for human life, mutual help, generosity, cooperation, respect for elders and social harmony. In addition, Botho can be employed with other frameworks such as Social Construction of Knowledge and Afrocentricity. Currently, the San peoples feel that they do not have a say in their children's education and policies that affect their day-to-day lives. The adoption of relevant and appropriate research methodologies in the San people's research will result in San empowerment not only in literacy development, but in all spheres of life. An important recommendation of this study is that San peoples should be gatekeepers not only in their communities, but also in academia.