The history
of the
Andries Steenkamp Benefit ShAring Trust
THE LEGACY OF ANDRIES STEENKAMP
In honour of the legacy of the late Chairman of the South African San Council, the Andries Steenkamp Benefit Sharing Trust serves as a structure to enrich the lives of the San communities.
Born on the 28th of January 1960 on a farm named Swartkopdam, Andries Steenkamp was deemed his people's wise and passionate leader. Devoted to bettering the lives of the San, Andries started advocating for these communities in 1994. In 2010 he was elected as Chairman of the San Council until his departure in 2016. Throughout his life, he fought for the rights and promotion of the San on a national and global scale.
Andries’ dream was establishing a Trust that holds and distributes funds from benefit-sharing agreements to indemnify the San Council. The idea was to ensure that the San communities administered the benefits.
Thus, on the 8th of October 2020, the Andries Steenkamp Benefit Sharing Trust was registered to administer all funds obtained from benefit-sharing funds associated with traditional knowledge of the San Communities.
The basis of all operations, functions and administration of the Andries Steenkamp Benefit Sharing Trust will strictly be to assist San communities in protecting their traditional knowledge. Other initiatives include conserving and advancing biodiversity, preserving cultural heritage, offering education, and developing improved livelihoods. The Trust aims to initiate these efforts with respect, honesty, fairness, and care.