Today, our campaign held a Human Rights Day event at the Liesbeek River to celebrate Judge Goliath’s decision to uphold the rights of indigenous peoples to protect their heritage and culture. On Friday, she awarded the interdict which halts the ongoing construction of the River Club re-development and stops the ongoing destruction of the site.
We had planned and advertised this event before the judgement was released on Friday. And after seeing Judge Goliath affirm that “economic, infrastructural and public benefits can never override the fundamental rights of First Nation Peoples”, we were additionally motivated to celebrate this day that affirms the human rights of all who live in our country. The event was co-sponsored by the Liesbeek Action Campaign, the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council (GKKITC), the A|Xarra Restorative Justice Forum, Friends of the Liesbeek, Surplus and Extinction Rebellion.
However, when we arrived at the TRUP mound this morning, we found it had been taken over by a small group of supporters of the First Nations Collective (FNC), led by Chief Zenzile Khoisan, who proceeded to hold a rally denigrating opponents of the development, labelling them criminals and puppets, and insulting white people as the elite of Observatory.
The TRUP mound is a public space open to all. But Chief Khoisan apparently felt entitled to take control of it to the extent that he chased an Observatory resident carrying a placard against the development away from the mound. How is it an act of anti-colonialism on Chief Khoisan’s part – wielding a knobkerrie up high – to chase a resident who is protesting against Amazon, one of the ace colonisers of all times? The resort to violence is not surprising in light of the fact that Tauriq Jenkins, High Commissioner for the GKKITC and a staunch opponent of the development, had to secure a protection order after Chief Khoisan threatened him with “war”.
To avoid the risk of further violent provocations, we moved our event to the opposite bank of the Liesbeek. In contrast to the hatred and malice emanating across the river, our ceremony proceeded with recognising the humanity that binds us all to a place that is sacred and inclusive for all South Africans.
Speakers included Tauriq Jenkins, High Commissioner for the Goringhaicona, Chief Autshumao of the Western Cape Legislative Khoisan Council, Advocate Rod Solomons of Iziko Museums and the South Africa First Forum, Professor Gertrude Fester of A|Xarra Restorative Justice Forum, and myself as Chair of the Observatory Civic Association. All the speakers reflected on what Judge Goliath’s decision means for indigenous people, for democracy, and for human rights in South Africa. Bia Bradley van Sitters of the !khoraIIgauIIaes Council led a cleansing ceremony, watched over by the River Spirit, a larger than life puppet of the Ukwanda Puppet company flanked by a number of ethereal reed-bearing spirits mobilised by Extinction Rebellion.
The ceremony was as beautiful and spiritual as it was peaceful. Its messages were about care and sharing for each other, not private profit or malice. We thank all who attended for not being intimidated by the antics across the river bank.
As one of our supporters said to us in embracing our High Court victory, “The forces that are wreaking havoc on the earth do not understand the power of solidarity for humanity and the earth.”
As you can see, the forces who stand to benefit from the redevelopment of the River Club are angry. We still face a tough battle ahead and we really need your support.
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