Khoi Festival becomes leadership summit

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - According to the convener of the historical Khoi Cultural Festival hosted in Mossel Bay last weekend, Paramount Chief Gail Lawrence, the main aim of the festival is to work towards greater unity.

"It started off as a festival, but when we started our discussions regarding unity among the tribes and a way forward as a collective, it became a summit. We are excited to have all five tribes together – the San, Korana, Griqua, Nama and Cape Khoi."

The event took place from 25 to 27 March in collaboration with the Dias Museum and Mossel Bay Municipality as stakeholders.

"This time calls for ubuntu, but the Khoi have another word – abba. It means, I will carry you on my back, taking you forward."

'Welcome home'

Executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotzé honoured the Khoi as the first nation of Southern Africa.

"Welcome home," Kotzé said. He explained his greeting in terms of the archaeological finds at the Pinnacle Point caves, which point to the roots of modern man.

Kotzé referred to a group of people who, following a disaster that spelt the end of the world thousands of years ago, managed to survive by being in tune with nature. Members of this group, according to archaeological finds, moved down to the Southern Cape and lived here. Eventually, as they developed, some left and spread across the globe, but the Khoi and the San stayed behind.

"You are what South Africa is all about. You are where our history begins. You are the cornerstone of our history. You can be an example to us all on how to join hands and work together as one."

PHOTO GALLERY: Khoi Cultural Festival in Mossel Bay

He thanked the group for choosing Mossel Bay as its destination for this historical event and mentioned that in the words of Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, they had contributed much to Mossel Bay's unique "cultural warmth".

Lawrence thanked the Mossel Bay Municipality for its excellent support in hosting the festival.

Chief Jerome van Aswegen Khoi Tiekie Saba emphasised that the festival had at its core purpose, working together as the Khoi leadership.

"We cannot push each other away."

VIDEO: Historical Khoi Festival in Mossel Bay

Issues

During one of her talks at the summit, Lawrence made a strong plea for the economic empowerment of the Khoi. She says the key to this lies in becoming manufacturers, rather than consumers.

At a banquet on Saturday evening, the establishment of a Khoi San Indigenous Aboriginal Parliament was discussed.

"Our next move is to take this event and its outcome to other parts of the province. We want to speak to more chiefs, mayors and municipalities, just as we did in Mossel Bay." These talks will take place from April in Cape Town, Cederberg and the coastal areas.

According to her, one of the main focus areas is solving issues relating to housing.

"It is comforting to know, listening to the mayor's explanation, that Mossel Bay seems to have a plan in terms of rolling out housing solutions."

Lawrence expressed concern about the drug problem among communities. She says the establishment of the Khoi San Indigenous Aboriginal Parliament is part of an intervention plan to reintroduce customary law, which may aid in dealing with community issues.

"The parliament is not there for us to lord over each other, but to offer a different intervention plan, seeing other disciplines in place to deal with community issues."

A highlight of the summit was the cleansing ritual at the St Blaize cave, says Lawrence.

"It was very emotional for all present, even the onlookers."