Khoisan leaders protest outside Parly

Cape Town 160208- Khoisan people marching to Parliament. They want to be part of the South African National defence force. Picture Cindy Waxa.Reporter Argus/Cape Times

Cape Town 160208- Khoisan people marching to Parliament. They want to be part of the South African National defence force. Picture Cindy Waxa.Reporter Argus/Cape Times

Published Feb 9, 2016

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Cape Town - Angry Khoisan leaders protested outside Parliament on Monday, trying to force their way inside to demand feed-back on a range of grievances.

A memorandum they had addressed to the Presidency in December read: “We demand the amendment of Act 44 of 2001, the termination of the integration intake bill, 2001, to allow the integration of Khoisan soldiers/Cape Corps into the SA National Defence Force, who were excluded since 21 April, 1994.

“(We also demand) the immediate recognition of the Khoisan nation according to the United Nations declaration on indigenous people.”

Until now, they had not received feedback, said Khoisan Revolution party president Stanley Peterson on Monday.

About 20 people wearing military camouflage and T-shirts of their newly formed political party, Khoisan Revolution, made a small ceremonial fire outside the gates of Parliament.

Protest leaders and Khoisan Nation Defence Unit (KNDU) demanded feedback from the government. A scuffle almost ensued when the group wrestled with police while trying to push their way in.

At that moment, KNDU member Melvin de Wee yelled: “Stop delaying tactics. When are you responding to our demands?”

On August 28 last year, the Cabinet approved the traditional and Khoisan leadership bill, Peterson said.

“The general Khoisan community was never invited to participate in the drafting.”

He said they wanted the same recognition as the ANC’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) soldiers, as well as recognition of their language. “We fought for this country like MK soldiers did. We also want recognition for our language as aboriginals of this country.”

An ANC member until June last year, Peterson said the party treated the Khoisan the way apartheid treated them, and that was why he formed the Khoisan Revolution party.

“I will never vote for them again. There is no room for us in the ANC. They are killing our tradition by not recognising our existence. And that is exactly how they were treated by apartheid.”

De Wee said they were frustrated as they had never been recognised, 22 years after democracy.

“Why was the Khoisan Bill, that we never took part in, only drafted last year?” he asked.

SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) spokesperson Isaac Mangena said he was aware of the Khoisan plight and that investigations were under way. He said the SAHRC was hosting hearings throughout the country.

“We are aware that the Khoisan feel unrecognised and marginalised. We will make sure their dignity is restored.”

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Cape Times

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