Call to rise above past pain to united future
EAST Griqualand community members have told deputy president David Mabuza that they want government to recognise their existence by giving them back their land, which they lost to colonial rule.
They also want important buildings and roads in Kokstad, the Southern KwaZulu-Natal town they recognise as their capital, to be renamed after their popular leader, Adam Kok III.
Mabuza chose Kokstad as the main Heritage Day commemoration venue in the honour of Kok III, who was a Khoisan struggle stalwart.
Mabuza yesterday unveiled a statue of Kok III and renamed the main Greater Kokstad Municipality building after their leader.
East Griqualand traditional council leader Ralph Ruiters said the government needed to fast-track the passing of the Traditional and Khoi San Leadership Bill to in order to restore the dignity of the community.
“The bill is waiting in Parliament, and if it is passed it would have a tremendous effect on us as the Griqua nation, or as the Khoisan nation, whereby our leaders would be recognised. Our leaders would then apply to be recognised as queens and kings in South Africa,” said Ruiters.
He said there should be a process of identifying leaders who qualified to be kings and queens.
He said East Griqualand covered Umzimkhulu and Bulwer in KwaZulu-Natal, and Matatiele and Khai River in the Eastern Cape.
“We are in the process of initiating discussions (with the government) over our recognition as the Khoisan nation. We need to see streets, buildings, stadiums and hospital names changed in recognition of our Griqua leaders,” said Ruiters.
Kok III’s great-great-granddaughter, Vanita Kok, said the family wanted the town’s name to remain the same.
She said prior to the dispossession of the land, East Griqualand was, under Kok III, a sovereign country with its own systems, flag and national anthem. She said after the death of Kok III, her nation was overlooked by the authorities.
“This is a very emotional time (unveiling of Kok III statue), that our youth can now learn about their own culture and heritage, and about who Adam Kok III was. We are really grateful to the government and local mayor, Bheki Mtolo, for affording us the opportunity to tell our story,” she said.
Mabuza said South Africans should no longer hold on to the past that divided them. “We must never allow ourselves to be beholden to the pains of yesterday, more than we are to the promises of a better tomorrow. He said people of all races should share the land, because it was enough to benefit all of them.”