by Masutane Modjadji
As a first year student at CPUT I had to learn quickly that not every coloured person in Cape Town likes to be called coloured. I acted fast and made it my business to find the alternative and acceptable reference to this culturally dynamic group that I had always referred to by that sometimes, contagious name. So when I came back with the name KhoiSan it was also not a named that was welcomed by everyone. Some people felt downright outraged that I dared to refer to them as Khoisan in this day and age! These were people my age and I understood where they were coming from.
Today’s culture is one that allows us to sift the medieval truth of who we are and choose what we live with and chuck the other stuff that we think doesn’t fit in the modern times we are in. This, I think is something that applies in every culture.
In Mamre, outside Cape Town I was happy to find a group that embraced the meaning of KhoiSan, the truth of their very existence and what must be done to preserve their culture. Part of this meant celebrating their heritage with pride.
In October 2010, a week after heritage day commemorations under the South African calendar I found myself at an event organised by KhoiSan chiefs. The day started with observing a moment of silent at a dolomite site that for years was a major source of employment in those parts of the West Coast. As we jumped the fence to access the site, I learnt that years back a vibrant KhoiSan community that used to call this place home was relocated elsewhere to make way so that the dolomite could be mined. Years later the group has since applied for their ancestral land to be restored to its people as part of the current government’s land redistribution programme.
After the morning’s prayer which literally moved me to my knees and brought me to the ground, the procession moved to one of the oldest churches in Mamre. We gathered at grounds where the Khoi Chief’s house used to stand for a royal blessing by the current chief. The day was marked with stops to all the special places where traces of the Khoisan royal traces are still visible. We then moved to where the Khoi kraal used to be. We were taken to trip down memory lane by those with background knowledge and willing to share it.
Apart from a handful of youngsters who tagged along with their parents the youth and young of Khoi descendants were conspicuous in their absence. The knowledge shared that day is something we cannot afford to let die with the elders. As I write this I cringe at my own ignorance of not documenting the historical moments as they were explained right front of me. Despite the few names I had forgotten, the day’s significant is something that I will not forget.
At the end of a long day touring Mamre and learning about the Khoisan culture, we were served indigenous Khoisan dishes and relaxed while we listened to some music that fitted to the occasion. I slept well that night knowing that indigenous cultures in our country will not go down without any fighting at all.
 Masutane's Blog
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