Bushmen, Khoisans sue state
THE Bushmen and Khoisan people of South Africa are dragging the government to court over "cultural genocide and discrimination".
The Equality Court will hear a "case of cultural genocide and discrimination against the Khoisan Nation" in the next two months.
Calling themselves the "nation of the Khoisan" the group on Saturday denounced the apartheid and present ANC-led government for classifying them as "coloureds".
Francisco Mackenzie of the Institute of the Restoration of the Aborigines of South Africa said being called "coloureds" was a "classification that helped to keep us in bondage".
Mackenzie said the constitution of the country discriminated against his people, as it did not recognise their rights as the Khoisan people.
Frank Smith of the Circle of Elders and Indigenous Leaders said that in 1950 "white people passed a law to declare us as coloured".
"We fought in the struggle to have the name kaffir removed now how about coloured? These are rude names. We are saying that Bushmen want to be called Bushmen, the Khoisan wants to be called Khoisan," he said.
Khoi Mclaren Holloway, a community leader from Atlantis, said that they were demanding the government to recognise their leadership and 18 clans that included Namaqua, Griqua and Hessequa.
Torso
I understand what they're saying and I support them. Why must they be forced to associate themselves with a term that they have no relation to? This shows the pride that they have in their culture.Report Abuse
Decolonised
Identity crisis, some of the so called coloureds do want to be called Khoisan or Bushmen...! Some are using the 'new found roots' to accumulate wealth by being in traditional leadership in the new SA. The point is we know that in those dark days of Apartheid, some benefited and thought they wre better than Africans. In as much as I support those who are genuine in these efforts, let us be aware of fakes and opportunists! As far as I am concerned, they are black/African, finish & klaar..damn, even the Chinese are classified as black/African...nxa!Report Abuse
1malesia
For heaven's sake the Khoisan are a very important part of our history! Why are we trying to get rid of all our history and heritage just so that we can fit the European image? We are Africans, and our diversity is part of that legacy, let us embrace it!Report Abuse
Katrur
Everything worth fighting for its worth having it. @Torso I support them too man cos it make sense to me@ Kuku we might think the name coloured its not good but what if the coloureds feel proud of it because i never saw any person fighting cos he was called coloured in this country.
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Katrur
Everything worth fighting for its worth having it. @Torso I support them too man cos it make sense to me@ Kuku we might think the name coloured its not good but what if the coloureds feel proud of it because i never saw any person fighting cos he was called coloured in this country.
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IceQueen
ja white people passed many laws, they also declared us as blacks, not Africans. maybe we must also drag the governement to court about this matter, maybe more people will be open minded.Report Abuse
Sageville
These are the actual original inhabitants of South Africa, these people have the right to be identified as such.I just hope we don't start the whole over-sensitivity issues as in America, next thing I'll be a "Caucasian/European African", my black mates will be "African Africans", what would the coloureds be?
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1malesia
@Sageville - i love your humour! We are slowly trotting that route!Report Abuse
IceQueen
i wouldn't mind if we go that route mna, i'm tired of being called black.Report Abuse