Indigenous rights: strong standpoint

About 12 members of the audience threw their copies of the Traditional and KhoiSan Leadership Bill down on the floor in front of the panel from the Western Cape Standing Committee on Local Government on Monday night.

The committee was in the George banquet hall for a public hearing on the bill. The bill is to make provision for the recognition of the KhoiSan and also consolidate and repeal the National House of Traditional Leaders Act of 2009 and the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act of 2003.

The microphone was handed round to allow members from the audience to give their input. Written inputs were also submitted. Many of those who voiced their opinions were against the bill.

After Danaub Dikwex (Neil Edwin Carelse), a local activist for indigenous people, rejected the bill during his turn to speak, some members of the audience got up, walked forward to the stage where the committee members were seated, and threw their copies of the bill on the floor before leaving the hall.

Khierikhoe, a Georgian from the Autini||aes (Outeniqua) tribe, reacted vehemently, shouting, "How can we exist in this country and you declare our spirituality as heathen? It's your religions and your government that crucified our people." He said that his people are the "supreme human beings" and shouted, "It's our land." (Watch the video online.)

His outburst followed Dikwex's comment, "We are not Khoi-San. Khoi means 'human' and San means 'throwaway cloth'. We are not throwaway people."

He spoke about the different groups, the Khorannas, the Namas, the Boesman and the Khoi-Khoi, and said that they have certain minimum rights in terms of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which they do not enjoy in their own country.

Reacting to

Khierikhoe's heated outburst, Attaqua Tribe Chief Poem Mooney said they were not there to speak against one another. He said the southern and southwestern Khoi and San groupings have decided that although the bill did not meet all their expectations, it can be used to their advantage, and should be supported. "If it becomes necessary, the legislation can be changed later."

Chief Gail Lawrence, from the Baatjies Clan and Khoranna Royal House, rejected the bill. She pointed out several aspects that were not accurately capturing the indigenous peoples' leadership structures and areas of influence. She said that the leadership structures as defined in the bill would always place the indigenous peoples' leadership under that of the Nguni and Sotho royal families. Furthermore, the bill grants the provincial premier too much power, which can lead to indigenous peoples' rights being severely infringed. The bill also does not make provision for gender equality. Maxwell le Fleur from the Griekwa National Conference was more moderate in his outlook. He supported the bill, but on the condition that certain changes be made, among which the section on leadership structures that are not accurate.

Chiefs from all over the Karoo and Eden district attended the event which was chaired by Masizole Mnqasela, MPP and chairperson of the Standing Committee on Local Government.

The committee is holding public hearings in a number of towns in the province, but written comments can also still be submitted until 9 May.

Photo: Linda Sparg At the train track in Santos are (back, left) Dirk Kotzé, Susan Zaayman, Transnet assistant horticulturist Martiens Pokbas, municipal director of Community Services Elize Nel and (front) Transnet staff Thando Sam, Clayton Morrison, Winile Mtshiyo and...

Photos: Alida de Beer Khierikhoe’s emotional outburst caused quite a stir at the public hearing. With him are Chief Claude Basson (left) and Pastor Johan Isaacs, both from Riversdale.

Chief Gail Lawrence commented on behalf of the Provincial House of First Indgenous Leaders, the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders as well as the Circle of Elders and Indigenous Leaders of the Khoen Peoples.