The Bakgaga Bakopa community's experiences of forced removal from their ancestral settlement at Maleoskop

M.Ed.This study was conducted with the central task of investigating the Bakgaga Bakopa community's experiences of forced removal from their ancestral settlement at Maleoskop. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of forced removal on the lives of the community members. It was an opportunity for the community members to reveal their experiences. In this study a qualitative research design was used, with the main data collecting technique being the interview. Eleven members of the community representing different sectors were chosen at random. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted to investigate the research problem. This research discovered that the community members had experienced psychological and socio-economic problems during the removals, and throughout their entire lives. The findings also indicated that there is a need for programmes to educate and empower the community members to be able to overcome their poverty. Recommendations have been forwarded on how the community members can be selfreliant to improve their lives educationally, socially, and economically. The interviewees indicated that the land at Maleoskop is economically viable because of the high rainfall. It is a potential area for tourism which can benefit the community financially. Returning to their ancestral settlement will restore the culture of the community. That is the main reasons why the community still wishes to return to Maleoskop