Handover Ceremony
At last the day dawned when the Heritage Centre at Riverlands, Cape
Town, officially opened its doors to
honour the long struggles of the
past, while envisioning a shared future.
For the first time in the history of South Africa,
a permanent space was dedicated to preserving,
celebrating and restoring the cultural memory of
the country's First Nations.
The opening, on a crisp and sunny winter's day
also featured an inaugural exhibition.
Elders like Queen Katrina Esau, N/uu speaker
from Upington, and Petrus Vaalbooi, leader of the
Kalahari Boesmans, as well as other leaders, and
community members from across the nation, and
some across the world, gathered to witness this
historic event that symbolised resilience, unity,
and a long-awaited recognition.
The area reverberated with the sound of drums
and beautiful singing in the ancient Khoekhoegowab language, and dancing and spoken word
performances from the youth of South Roots International, a partner of the Western Cape First
Nations Collective (WCFNC).
As with previous historical and milestone events
at Riverlands, the team of South Roots set the
tone for the day with their energetic performance.
Chief Zenzile Khoisan, chairman of the Western
Cape First Nations Collective, whose brainchild
the centre was, gave voice to the deepest meaning of the day.
He began with gratitude to the Creator, the elders and to countless supporters.
"What we celebrate here today is nothing less
than a monumental victory for the First Peoples of
South Africa in their long quest to be recognised,
restituted and restored."
He explained that the Centre's walls held the
language, culture, battles and heroes of the Khoi
and San as proof of their enduring footprint over
the last 20 000 years.
"We have a history. We have a culture. Today we
unveil our footprint. Whoever questions it, let them
put their footprint on this land as we have.”
Chief Zenzile emphasised that the Centre is not
about ownership but stewardship: “It is our duty to
care for this place, not just for ourselves but for
seven generations."
Jody Aufrichtig, the developer of Riverlands,
formally handed over custodianship of the Heritage Centre to the Western Cape First Nations
Collective Trust on behalf of the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust. A milestone he described as “an
honour and a reconciliation".
More importantly, Aufrichtig said, he saw the
project as a break in the “cycle of invisibility” that
had hidden First Nations heritage. He hoped the
Centre would teach children South Africa's true
history, not merely the colonial version centred on
Jan van Riebeeck.
Princess Chantall Revell, a trustee of the
WCFNC, welcomed the elders, Queen Katrina
Esau and Petrus Vaalbooi.
Revell reminded all present that the path to
Riverlands had been paved by the struggles and
sacrifices of the elders.
"Queen Katrina and Oupa Petrus, you walked a
long road so that we, the younger ones, can stand
here today and say thank you. Your work will never be forgotten.”
In her reaction to the opening of the Centre,
Queen Katrina urged for unity, “so that the children who come after us may see that unity among
the elders."
She spoke with the candour and wisdom that
has made her a revered figure in cultural preservation. She recalled how, when asked what animal
should symbolise the Centre, she suggested an
eland, a powerful symbol of dignity and endurance. Her message, however, was directed less to
symbols than to people.
She reflected on the fading practices of culture
that are too seldom brought forward, stressing the
need for gatherings like this to revive and transmit
those traditions.
Queen Katrina's thanks to Chief Zenzile for consulting the elders captured a shared sentiment,
that the Heritage Centre was not built in isolation,
but through dialogue and respect.
Oupa Petrus felt the gathering was a sign of
divine purpose.
"Look how our people are standing
together. The Heavenly Father has
called and bound us for one purpose:
unity.", Oupa Petrus said.
With characteristic humour and seriousness, he blessed the nation and
urged them never to let go of one another's hands.
"For me this Heritage Centre is not
just a building, but the fruit of unity
and proof that the Khoi and San nation
still have strength and purpose.", he
said.
Pastor Johannes Maarman, chairman of the KhoiKhoi Peoples Rooibos
Biodiversity Trust, praised Chief Zenzile for being a leader who acts rather
than only speaks.
"I applaud you for
bringing all this here for the whole nation of southern Africa."
He reminded the community to always respect elders and announced a
donation of R50 000 toward the Centre, offered on behalf of the Koranna,
Griqua, Nama, Cape Khoi, and
Cederberg communities.
Jody Aufrichtig, who worked alongside the First Nations Collective for
more than seven years, reflected on
the long journey to this day.
He recalled sleepless nights, countless meetings, and nearly 300 versions
of the development plan.
"Yet, it had all been worth it. All the
energy, all the time we put in was
worth every little bit. What a momentous occasion. All I can really say is:
Welcome home, my friends.".
He acknowledged disagreements
with Chief Zenzile but stressed that
mutual respect had always brought
them back to common ground.
In a moving moment, Aufrichtig
spoke of forgiveness for those who
had tried to derail the project.
"I forgive you. Let's all come together. Let's build our country. This is my
home, and I love it."
Chief Zenzile addressed the youth directly, telling them the Centre was
their protected zone, where their talents and genius would flourish.
He also acknowledged the struggles and opposition faced during the project, but declared,
"if God is for you, who can stand against you?"
The Centre, he said, must be a place
of unity, "Here we leave our differences at the door and work together
inside."
He also honoured contributions from
indigenous groups worldwide, families,
artists and Allen Faubion from America, whose contributions made the inaugural exhibition possible.
Faubion, from Texas in America, said
that walls always represent identity.
"That is who the Creator has made
us to be, and the gates, or the doors
are always a picture of opportunity
and access to opportunity."
One of the wall in the Centre is specifically dedicated to the memory of
heroes. Chief Zenzile said, "today, we
stand on the shoulders of giants. On
the wall of heroes is a representation
of some of the most outstanding and
heroic figures in the long history of our
people."
He drew the attention to a withered
tree planted in red Kalahari sand that
stood as a living symbol of renewal.
"That red sand come from the red
dunes of the Kalahari, but what the
amazing thing about that tree is, is that
with it comes the seed and from that
seed will come new and bigger and
stronger and more magnificently trees,
because this is the place where those
seed will be planted."
The opening and exhibition of the
Heritage Centre at Riverlands was
more than a ceremonial event. It was
an act of restoration, an affirmation
that the Khoi and San peoples are not
relics of the past but living nations
shaping the future. It is homecoming
and a place of anchorage.
Here, the First Nations will reclaim
their stories, honour their heroes, and
plant seeds for generations yet to
come.