With a month to go before provincial and national elections, Khoi and San communities in the Northern Cape say they are finding it difficult to choose between different political parties.
Communities say they are concerned that none of the political parties mention their issues in their manifestos or election materials. Mr. Khoi and Mr. San's leaders want the parties to discuss their issues.
The Northern Cape is a melting pot of cultures, with many communities identifying with the Khoi and San peoples.
Like many South Africans, they are looking forward to the election of a new leader on May 29th. But Barend van Wyk and Ruben Festus said they were finding it difficult to make a decision because their issues were not being taken up by political parties.
These include recognition of leaders, language and culture, and land support for communities.
“The serious problem we have is that political parties think they are the rulers of the country. And when it comes to politics, and to change the current political climate, they We are now at a point where we probably need to run for election, without taking into account the Khoi and San communities.” Griqua President Van Wyk said:
Festus, a representative of the Homaini San, said: “They did not respond to the Khoisan and Bushman history, culture and language in their respective manifestos. Look closely at the manifestos of the various political parties. People in SA who are not San, Khoisan or Bushmen clearly understand why we are doing this as a San, Khoisan and Khoisan community and are very concerned.”
Colin Rowe of the San Council said most Khoi and San leaders have said they will continue to encourage local people to participate in elections.
“I know that even the Khoi and San people will vote. But I want to say to the ruling party – whoever takes over, don't forget about us. Remember us. Don't just be there, call us to the table. Don't mix ours with other groups. We're a united group.”
Political analyst Professor Setsulego Matebe says political parties are missing an opportunity to address issues in communities that already feel marginalized.
“The parties to the conflict should be able to take into account the communities that we consider to be indigenous communities. Especially after 30 years of democracy, those should actually be the natural routine, and indigenous peoples We believe that our communities deserve to be preserved and are well looked after and part of the democracy we all enjoy today. I'm really sad about the situation.”
Local residents say whoever is elected should not only make promises to the Khoi and San communities, but also address their issues.