San, Mier communities get land
2002-09-01 23:19
Twee Rivieren - The !Khomani San and Mier communities in the Northern Cape became the owners of almost 60 000ha of land in the Kalahari at the weekend when the second phase of their respective land claims transactions for the Kgalagadi cross-border park was completed.
The first phase was closed in 1999 when President Thabo Mbeki handed over 25 000ha outside the park to both groups. On Saturday the !Khomani San were given 28 000ha and the Mier community 30 000ha.
!Khomani San ancestors used large tracts of the park for hunting and plant gathering. They had filed a claim for the land. Their part of the land will now be known as the San heritage land.
Agricultural and Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza signed title deeds registering the land for the two groups.
Dawid Kruiper, leader of the !Khomani San and dressed in a traditional outfit, called for the preservation of "traditional laws", saying members of his group should bury the hatchet and unite in conserving the land.
"The pot can't call the kettle black, since both are sitting on the fire," Kruiper said.
Didiza said the San's pride has been restored and the handing over ceremony should be seen as a healing process.
Vicky Corpuz Tauli, a member of the Philippines indigenous group and chairperson of the UN voluntary fund for indigenous peoples, said indigenous people worldwide were struggling to have their right to existence recognised. She pledged support for poverty relief to the San people on behalf of the UN.
The communities intend erecting a hotel on their land. Under the settlement they have agreed to preserve the land inside the park for conservation, eco-tourism and cultural activities. Mining, housing and agriculture are disallowed on the land, under the settlement.
South African National Parks (Sanparks) have undertaken to take charge of animals, plants and the natural environment. Sanparks have agreed that the San be allowed to enjoy further land rights within the Kgalagadi park.
The Mier community - in order to avoid further San claims within Mier territory - agreed to transfer 7 000ha to the San by May 2004.