The expulsion of the AmaNdebele
Monday, November 21, 2016
On the walls of the Voortrekker Monument at Gauteng are portrayed many of the Treks supposed heroes. Only one black is included among them: Kgosi Moroka of the Barolong booSeleka.
The Morolong’s appearance in Afrikanerdom’s hallowed hall is a tribute to what the early Setswana historian Sol Plaatje characterised as “the tragic friendship of Moroka and the Boers.” This relationship began with 1836 Batswana-Boer alliance against the Amandebele.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...