Petrus Vaalbooi
Bushmen people
South Africa
“Let us make peace with each other. Let us recognize each other.”
Petrus Vaalbooi is the elected leader of the Bushmen people in South Africa. Native to the Kalahari desert, the Bushmen are the oldest known inhabitants of South Africa, where they have lived for at least 20,000 years. In addition to being the leader of the Bushmen, Petrus is an activist who has helped the Bushmen reclaim rights to their local land.