The Herald (South Africa)

Khoisan leaders’ long walk to Bhisho

Determined steps taken to have term ‘coloured’ scrapped

- Yoliswa Sobuwa sobuway@timesmedia.co.za

AMILLION signatures have been collected by people wanting the term “coloured” scrapped from the South African vocabulary. This was revealed yesterday when a group of about 20 Khoisan leaders, in traditiona­l attire and armed with bows and arrows, started their walk from Port Elizabeth to Bhisho to raise awareness of “the derogatory term”.

The group wants the term coloured removed from all South African official documents.

Khoisan activist Christian Martin said it was a derogatory term created in 1950 during South Africa’s race classifica­tion.

“It does not describe who we are, as we are proud Khoi descendent­s.”

Martin said education and economic opportunit­ies as well as social and political rights were largely determined by the racial group to which a person was designated.

“There were three basic racial classifica­tions under the law – black, white and coloured.

“The South African parliament repealed the act on June 17 1991. However, the racial categories defined in the act remained ingrained in South African culture and they still form the basis of some redressing [of] past economic imbalances,” Martin said.

Before starting the walk to Bhisho, the group underwent a Khoisan blessing ceremony at the Gelvandale bridge opposite the Papenkuil cemetery to prepare for the journey.

Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor turned-businessma­n Nceba Faku attended the send-off.

“I came here to show my support because this is a noble cause that this community has embarked on.

“It is not just the refusal of the name but it is their refusal to be identified by definition of other groups,” Faku said.

“They insist on reinstatin­g their identity, rituals, culture, language and Khoisan style.

“It is a clear message the leadership of our nation needs to listen to as it will help [in] healing South Africa.

“This is an indication that some of our communitie­s are still hurting from the past. Our leaders need to recognise them and give them equal space.”

Chief Khoisan said they chose the site behind the graveyard for the send-off ceremony because it symbolised a new beginning.

“We will walk for about 50 to 60km a day, starting from 6am, but today [yesterday] we will start with 40km from here to Colchester,” he said.

“There are days when we will have to sleep out in the open but we have fully prepared ourselves for this journey. We are also very safe as I have my arrows and bows.”

Once in Bhisho, on Monday, a memorandum will be handed over to Eastern Cape legislatur­e speaker Noxolo Kiviet.

Informatio­n sessions will be held in towns along the way, where communitie­s will be able to express their opinions on matters relating to the term “coloured” and Khoi identity.

 ??  ??
 ?? Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI ?? SETTING OFF: Christian Martin, left, and Chief Khoisan lead a group on their walk to Bhisho
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI SETTING OFF: Christian Martin, left, and Chief Khoisan lead a group on their walk to Bhisho

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa