Thursday, August 28, 2008

Free State News (Aug 2008 editions)

FREE STATE NEWS PUBLICATION (Aug, 2008 editions)

This web page(s) would regularly focus on the leading Free State (South Africa) newspaper – Free State news – the first regular newspaper to be orchestrated fully by black people in the Free State province (soon the paper will be celebrating it’s 10th year anniversary). The paper has been published on a weekly basis since 1999. Here, we shall have regular items like “Feature of the week”, starting from July, 2008

Free State News crew

Publisher
Moses Vinger

Confidential Secretary/Manager
Maki Mohapi

Editor
Kaya M

News Editor
Omoseye Bolaji

News Desk
Julia Stuurman
Flaxman Qoopane
Neo Mvubu

Sports Reporter
Michael Tlhakudi

Lay-out artist
Tumisang Takang

Photographer
Fresh Pix

Office Assistant
Julia Lithebe

Contact number:
051 447 1655

29 Aug – 04 Sep 2008 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Focus on the first peoples in South Africa”

By By J. Kraalshoek (page 10 )


(reproduced here)


KHOE AND SAN DEVELOPMENTS (Free State GRIQUA COUNCIL)


The RSA coat of arms with our motto, “!ke e: /xara //ke” “unity in diversity”, emphasizes the right to diversity as well as respect and acknowledgement of the first peoples of the Republic of South Africa. The language of our motto is in an ancient Khoe and San or indigenous language, !Xam. Within the designation of “coloured”, there is now a group of people referring to themselves as Indigenous First nation of South Africa. This is a direct response to the empowering new dispensation with its human rights enshrined constitution and the ratification of most of the United Nations Conventions.

Traditional Leadership and Customary Law were accommodated through Chapter 12 of the SA Constitution of 1996, which recognizes the authority of traditional leaders and customary law. While Chapter 9, article 181, 185 and 186, specifically call for the establishment of a Commission for the Promotion and protection of the rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic communities, popularly known as the CRL Commission.

The Khoe and San peoples ask for official recognition and an equal share in the distribution of power through Indigenous people namely respect and development of their heritage and culture combined with socio-economic upliftment.

Revivalist Khoekhoe or Khoesan

The revivalist Khoekhoe or Khoesan refers to those people who began to publicly identify themselves as indigenous Khoesan from 1997 onwards. The revivalist groups are seen in contrast to those groups like the Griqua who have been advocating specific recognition since the early 1900s and the San who can trace their ancestry back to hunting and gathering adaptation.

Khoe and San Leaders

The term Khoe and San leaders refers to the representatives that make up the National Khoe-San Council (NKC) and the leaders and activists from the other organizations mentioned in 2.4.1 under the heading, ‘National Level’.

The insider’s perspective

I have been actively involved with Khoe and San indigenous movement since 2000 and in 2001 became the secretary of the National Khoe and San Consultative Conference (NKOK). So I would be regarded as a revivalist Khoekhoe. Since I embraced my Khoekhoe heritage and identity I feel a strong sense of belonging and for the first time in my life I feel proud of my African hair and features.

The Khoe-San in South African History

According to archeological genetic and material finds there is no question that the Khoekhoe and San have priority in time. They are aboriginal in that they did not emerge from any other country further north in Africa or Europe. (Deacon, 1999) They have their origin in Southern Africa, noting that the state borders were imposed by the colonial conquerors that did not consider the territorial borders of the peoples’ present. The history of South Africa marginalized the Khoe and San peoples as they became classified as ‘coloureds’ and many became assimilated and acculturated.

Efforts to unite Khoe and San

Efforts were made to unite the Khoekhoe coming from rural and urban areas. The Khoe and San namely the Griqua Khoekhoe, Nama Khoekhoe and San sought collaboration and support in the growing International Indigenous arena. They elected to be called “The Khoe-San Peoples” and move out of the racially defined group category to a group category based on their African heritage and identity. These efforts gave the leadership and opportunity to lobby and advocate for recognition by international indigenous peoples and the S.A Government.

FREE STATE PROVINCE

Currently in the Province we have Captain J. Kraalshoek who is the historical driver / leader who promoted the movement of the Khoe and San in the province since 1974. For the past 34 years he has undertaken extensive research to ensure that the Khoe Khoe communities of the province received attention. Successes are as follow: establishing a language structure, claiming of historical land, being on the records of PANSALB, sport arts and culture, house of traditional leaders, attended the world summit, in discussions with international researches, seek help to open an office at the FSUOVS, let cultural groups like the Korana discover their heritage. Captain J. Kraalshoek also established the Free State Griqua council which are represented throughout the Province in the following areas: Bethany, Edenburg, Phillippolis, Bethulie, Boshoff, Oppermansgronde, Thaba Patcha, Bloemfontein, Springfontein, Xhariep and Welkom .

Contact Mr.J. Kraalshoek at 0732519090


22 – 28 AUG 2008 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Women celebrate in style”. By Neo Mvubu (Page 2)

(reproduced here)

Women Celebrate in style

Colourful photo

Connie Masilo Ferguson (of Generations fame) and Penny Lebyane (Metro FM Dj)embraced a women’s month even organized by BMK Designs held at Baines Game Lodge in Bloemfontein earlier this month.

This event was attended by women from all walks of life to celebrate what it means to be a woman in South Africa.

The women were given financial advice by Harnes Lobster from Standard Bank to celebrate their financial independence. “A woman is all about beauty and brains and one should not forget to look good in any industry”

Beauty tips were given to women and a presentation regarding EV Products, Justine and Avroy Shlaine was given for the women.

Artists including Nateaze, Alah yen, Morwesi Sebiloane as well as Ntlantla Nciza kept the women at the dance floor


08 - 14 AUG 2008 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

President Mbeki galvanises Free State shores”. By Neo Mvubu (front page)
(reproduced here)

President Mbeki galvanises Free State shores

By Neo Mvubu

Morojaneng Township in the Naledi Municipality in Dewetsdorp came to life at the weekend as the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki embarked on his last IMBIZO as the country’s President. At the occasion he walked hand in hand with the Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff, mingling with people at grassroots level.

Other dignitaries that were there included Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, the Minister of Health, Manto Tshabalala Msimang, the Minister of Communications, Ivy Matsepe Casaburi, Justice Minister Bridgette Mabandla, and the Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan as well as the Minister in the office of the Presidency, Essop Pahad.

The dignitaries collectively went door to door, to the houses of the Dewetsdorp people; many of whom have been trying to have their pleas and basic needs fulfilled for a long time.
The people ventilated their grievances, including problems like basic service delivery, housing, water and electricity problems and home affairs. The President met with Paolasi Ramosoeu (96) who has not yet received his ID, and who lives with his unemployed grandson, Moeketsi Ramosoeu (25) - both supported by a neighbor’s pension, Mampho Thekiso, (52) who is also very sick.
Sampie Molelo (32) said he was hurt at work but never got compensated by his boss (his hand can not operate functionally), now he is unemployed and has to support his family. Another disenchanted person was Makhethe Makhethe (49) who said that his family came to South Africa from Lesotho in 1978. He was born in South Africa and yet has failed in several attempts to get an ID. He explained that he could not even get a house due to this dilemma.
At least five families were given an opportunity to speak out about their problems and the response given by the President was to take these people’s details and speed up the delivery process. It was an exhilarating occasion and opportunity for many indigenes.


01- 07 AUG 2008 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Urbain Tila brings movie Industry to Bloemfontein” By Flaxman Qoopane. (Page 2)