Latest news with #KhoisanSA
IOL News
11-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The call for Khoisan recognition: Saks Radio joins King Khoisan SA's campaign
Saks Radio supports King Khoisan SA's campaign for Khoisan recognition. Image: Thobile Mathonsi/Independent Newspapers Saks Radio, an online radio station broadcasting from Sharpeville, has pledged its support for King Khoisan SA's nationwide campaign to mobilise support for recognising the Khoisan as South Africa's first nation. The campaign, which will likely culminate in mass action later this year or early next year, seeks to advocate for Khoisan rights, land ownership and the abolition of the term "coloured". King Khoisan SA's recently revealed his determination to push forward with his demands and comes after a five-year protest at the Union Buildings lawn was cut short due to an eviction in February, following a Gauteng High Court order. Despite this setback, he remains resolute in his pursuit, stressing the importance of recognition and rights for the Khoisan people. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Phankha Sakoane, station manager at Saks Radio and founder of Saks TV, has called on the South African government to engage in meaningful dialogue with Khoisan leadership. "We, at Saks Community Media Holdings, stand in unwavering solidarity with King Khoisan SA and the Khoisan people in their just and historic struggle for recognition as South Africa's first nation," he said. He said that disregarding the Khoisan's claims to identity, land and dignity would be to deny the core narrative of the South African story. 'We are inspired by King Khoisan SA's nationwide mobilisation and his efforts to unite indigenous groups across borders—from Namibia to Botswana and beyond. This is not a separatist movement but a call for justice, unity, and freedom of identity,' he said. Sakoane also highlighted the importance of inclusivity in heritage sites, stating that "a heritage site must celebrate all the people of South Africa—not just those whose histories are already documented and accepted by dominant systems". He said that while his organisation acknowledges the Union Buildings' heritage status, they firmly believe that heritage without inclusivity is essentially hollow. 'A heritage site must celebrate all the people of South Africa—not just those whose histories are already documented and accepted by dominant systems. King Khoisan's bold vision of an inclusive state under indigenous leadership offers a compelling model for African unity, cultural pride, and self-determination,' he said. He pledged to use Saks Radio's platform to educate, reflect and unite people around the important cause of recognising the Khoisan as South Africa's first nation.
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
King Khoisan SA's fight for Khoisan rights continues after eviction from Union Buildings
King Khoisan SA vows to continue fighting for Khoisan recognition in South Africa. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "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.
