Khoi-San groups welcome commission

KHOI and San groups have welcomed the notice published by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Zweli Mkhize inviting nominations for people to serve on the Commission on Khoi-San Matters.

Mkhize published the notice in the government gazette on Friday following the passing of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill by Parliament in February.

The bill is now awaiting the signature of President Cyril Ramaphosa before becoming law.

Mkhize said the bill provided for the public to nominate persons who may be considered for appointment as members of the Commission on Khoi-San Matters.

“The main purpose of this commission will be to help the government with the recognition process of KhoiSan communities and leaders.

“The commission must investigate applications for the recognition of Khoi-San communities and leaders, and make recommendations in this regard to the national minister responsible for traditional and Khoi-San leadership,” Mkhize said.

The commission, which is to be appointed for five years, is expected to consist of a chairperson, a deputy and not more than five other members.

The nominees would be required to have qualifications or experience in anthropology, the history of KhoiSan, customary law and customs of Khoi-San leadership as well as the law.

“Members of the commission will be appointed in their own right and not as representatives of specific KhoiSan groupings, communities, organisations or constituents,” Mkhize said.

Nominations to the commission must reach Cogta by May 21. The notice for nomination for the commission has been welcomed by some Khoi-San groups.

Western Cape Khoisan Council chairperson John Jansen said they supported the newly passed bill and the call for nominations to the commission.

“We as the leadership will discuss the nominations and explore capable individuals to recommend,” Jansen said.

Christian Martin, a spokesperson for the Khoi and San Alliance in Nelson Mandela Metro, said they also welcomed the notice.

“President Ramaphosa made a pronouncement at a Contralesa meeting that the commission would be established. We will encourage people of quality who meet the criteria to sit on the commission to avail themselves,” Martin said.