Latest news with #KhoiandSan
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Khoisan community seeks recognition and unity at KwaZulu-Natal's Interfaith Provincial Prayer Day
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Thami Ntuli, Leader Barbara Jensol, the High Commissioner at Griqua Aboriginal Nation Rosemary Rodriguez, Senior Chief Damons of the Aboriginal Khoi and San Nation, and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula at the Interfaith Provincial Prayer Day held at the Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban. Image: Supplied The Khoisan group, some based in Durban, embraced the Interfaith Provincial Prayer Day held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Friday to highlight the recognition of the Khoi and San people. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli presided over the prayer day, which was held to pray for the eradication of social ills that plague the province. The prayer day was held under the theme, KZN Spiritual Leaders United In Building KZN To Inspire New Hope. Ntuli sstated that the provincial prayer challenged the faith-based leaders to build a KZN where hope is restored, where communities are healed, and where every person is allowed to thrive. Ntuli said this important gathering of faith-based leaders is a call to prayer, reflection, and unity. It aims to bring together all sectors of society to seek divine intervention and spiritual renewal as the province continues its journey of rebuilding socially, economically, and morally. Rosemary Rodriguez, the High Commissioner at Griqua Aboriginal Nation, said they felt honoured to be part of the prayer session. Rodriguez said the prayer centred on praying for crime, with some religious leaders calling for the restoration of family values and society. She pointed out that the breakdown of family values has taken its toll on communities, adding that some religious leaders believed that they were disrespected by politicians and that prayer without action means nothing.
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister McKenzie engages with Khoisan leaders on cultural heritage and youth development
Durban's Khoi and San (Khoisan) leaders met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, in Wentworth on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers Durban's Khoi and San (Khoisan) leaders met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, in Wentworth on Saturday. McKenzie is in Durban for the Nedbank Cup Final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and to lead a series of impactful initiatives across KwaZulu-Natal as part of the department's ongoing commitment to youth development, community wellness, and social transformation through sport, mentorship, and public engagement. McKenzie also visited the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) for the guided by greatness youth mentorship event hosted in partnership with Sivusisiwe Africa Initiatives. Andre De Bruin, paramount chief of the Khoisan and Wentworth community activist, said they appreciated the fact that McKenzie acknowledged their presence and made time to meet them. 'The minister promised to work with us and advised us to work together. If we do not organise ourselves, nobody will. We are hopeful that we can have future engagements with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture,' De Bruin said. The Khoisan leaders presented McKenzie with a skin hide and slippers as a gift. As a Khoisan child, McKenzie claimed to have observed that people lament they do not receive the same level of support as other traditional leaders in KZN. 'Our kings and chiefs do not get bakkies and money. However, we must move forward. There is too much infighting and people misrepresenting the Khoisan. If we want to be taken seriously we need to learn from the Zulu and Xhosa traditions. The Government of National Unity has shown a willingness to address these issues,' he stated. McKenzie spoke of the cultural significance and impact that the Khoisan have in Paris, France. He was referring to Saartje Baartman, a Khoisan woman who was taken to Paris in 1810. Her remains were kept in the Musée de l'Homme and in 2002, they were returned to South Africa. He told the Khoisan leaders that he will take a delegation to France in the near future. The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula told the cultural group that he is planning to organise a trip to the Maloti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site, in September, to view the San Rock Art that was the work of the Bushman or the San. 'We have met the leaders for the first time and we need to collaborate further and have formal discussions. There is a lot that still needs to be done. When we talk about heritage we are not selective,' Khawula said. [email protected] Durban's Khoi and San (Khoisan) leaders met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula (right) in Wentworth on Saturday Image: Leon Lestrade Durban's Khoi and San (Khoisan) Prince Lewlyn Jules met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula in Wentworth on Saturday. Image: Zainul Dawood
