King Khoisan SA has vowed to continue advocating for the recognition of the Khoisan people as South Africa’s first nation, despite being forcibly removed from the Union Buildings lawn in February after a five-year protest. 

The eviction, which was carried out following a Gauteng High Court order, has not deterred King Khoisan from pursuing his demands, which include recognition of the Khoisan people’s rights, land ownership, and abolition of the term “coloured”.

King Khoisan SA said on Tuesday that he is determined to push forward with a demand to have the Khoisan people recognised as the first nation in the country.

He has started a nationwide mobilisation effort, visiting different provinces to regroup and rally support. He said he has already visited the Western Cape and is currently crisscrossing the Eastern Cape, with plans to stage a massive action towards the end of this year or early next year. 

“The advocacy to have the Khoisan recognised as the first nation is still ongoing. I have actually now started to visit different provinces, speaking to leadership and trying to regroup,” he said.

He said his legal team has discovered that the eviction was potentially illegal, and preparations are under way to wage a legal battle against the government. 

He claims that the government broke its promise to keep their possessions safe, resulting in losses estimated at R80 million to R90 million. 

“We have lost close to R80 million to R90 million. For example, we had paintings there which were over R50,000,” he said, adding that some awards bestowed upon him, including one from the African Nations, are missing.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which obtained an eviction order, cited that the Union Buildings are a heritage site where no temporary structures are allowed.

The department previously said no appeals or opposition were received against the court order for the eviction of the Khoisan community from the Union Buildings. 

According to the department, they complied with all high court orders, which included consulting with stakeholders like other government departments and the City of Tshwane, to assist individuals willing to return home. 

King Khoisan SA said the local Khoisan group has allied with their counterparts in Namibia and Botswana, and is mobilising Africans from different tribes to support their cause. 

He said a proposal on the table is to form a new state, led by the Khoisan, which would allow everyone to express themselves freely.

“We are saying that we will cut some provinces away from South Africa with a lot of people, and not just the Khoisan, and form a new state. It will not be a state for the Khoisan, but it will be under the Khoisan,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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