To grow the Nama language, and to empower the Khoisan heritage in Tsitsikamma, the Tsitsikamma Khoisan Council recently hosted a Basic Nama Language course for the community in early April at The Big Tree Tsitsikamma and the Storms River Village Hotel.
According to Jackie Joseph, organiser of the event, due to the exponential decrease in the prevalence of the Khoisan heritage, community members in Tsitsikamma established the Tsitsikamma Khoisan Council with executive members including, Joseph (headman), Chief Edna Plaatjies, Walter Damonds (rigter – yet to complete Khoisan ritual), Richmond Gewers (rigter) and Elroy Gentles (headman).
He said that it seemed especially foreign for the youth, that being of Khoisan descent is taboo in social circles, and that speaking the indigenous Khoisan language is an outdated trend linked to ancient times.
In addition, Joseph said that the prevalence of the Nama language in the education system from early age to tertiary education is incredibly low to zero, almost non-existent.
“The language is mostly transferred at home, in close family circles in areas such as Riemvasmaak and Kuboes in the Northern Cape where their language is actively spoken, but is not recognised as a language for formal education settings. Even at home there is a lack of language transfer from the elders to the youth. While appreciating that the elders are passing away with vast Nama knowledge, the younger generations are vaguely interested in learning about their own heritage,” said Joseph.
He said the council’s vision is to see a country where all South Africans, especially those from Khoisan descent, speak, read, write and understand the Nama language.
Joseph said that as the descendants of the Khoisan in Tsitsikamma – a Khoi word for “place of many waters” – they are in the process of reviving the Khoisan culture.
As they begin the process, he said that they had invited communities who associate with the Khoisan culture to embark on a three-day Basic Nama Language course.
Joseph said that at least 12 people from the Northern Cape and Namibia facilitated the course, with 20 learners from local schools and 20 adults from the community in attendance.
“The hope is that the group of people that attended the course will assist in training other learners and community members to grow the language,” said Joseph.
He said that the learning experience was very positive for all who attended the course, as this was the first time that they were given the opportunity to learn the basic language clicks, pronunciation, and names of various body parts in the Nama language.
Joseph said that it has been amazing to see the council, which consists of different Khoisan tribes in the area, come together as a Khoisan nation to serve the community.
He said that they are in the process of inviting more Khoisan groups to join their council, to work together on common issues within the community.
Joseph said that he would like to thank Christian Martin (activist), Jan Bekkies (chiefs), Daantjie Japhta, Brato Malgas, Gert Steenkamp (paramount chief), Willem Kareb (paramount chief) and Margo Rockman from Gqeberha for their support.
