About Us

Our mission is the support of the Ju/'hoansi Bushmen and their cultural environment in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Namibia. The primary focus of the fund is education, empowering local communities.

The Ju/'hoansi Development Fund was founded by South African photographer David Bruce through the friendship and support of /Ui Kunta, a Ju/'hoansi (San) living in the Nyae Nyae Conservancy. A former student at Tsumkwe School, with two children currently at the school, /Ui acts as both an advisor and spokesman for the fund. With direct access to the subject the fund is committed to projects in partnership with the Ju/'hoan people.

The Ju/'hoansi Development Fund is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, administrated and managed by trustees:

• Roger Mildred
• Rachel Devas
• David Lang

David Bruce

David Bruce was born in 1963. He studied fine art and graphic design in South Africa, before taking up photography at the London College of Printing in London.

Inspire by the Ju/'hoansi Bushmen of the Western Kalahari, he began documenting the cultural remains of the indigenous Ju/'hoan people of Namibia. His photographs stand as both works of art and a sensitive culture in the process of being lost to the world. A unique combination of art and social commitment born out of a rare level of contact with the subject.

In 2007 he produced a limited edition book: N//oq!'ae Ju/'hoansi, raising funds in support of the Ju/'hoan people. More information on this book you can find under the tab Book.

The Ju/'hoansi Bushmen call David Bruce 'Bagon/hui', loosely translated it means 'able to hear'. For most of his adult life he has been plagued with a hearing below speech level, and wear's a bone anchor hearing aid.

Website

The Ju/'hoansi Development Fund is grateful to Alex Barten, Guus van Lamoen, Nicolette van der Meer, and Laurens Molegraaf. They provided an important contribution to realizing this website.