Late Oupa Dawid Kruiper’s dream comes true

From left: Billies Pamo (South African San Institute), Simon Hasjenda (X-K FM producer)
 and Riano Nduve (X-K FM presenter) at the water tap
in Andriesvale

By Moshe Maghundu

Librarian/Archivist of  X-K FM community radio station which broadcasts in !Xu and Khwe from SABC Platfontein.

Our late hero, Oupa Dawid Kruiper, had been fighting for a very long time for development around Andriesvale. 

He was a San elder and leader of the Khoisan community in the southern Kalahari Desert. He was also one of the main players in the land claim by the #Khomani San. He died in June 2012, and the burial service of  Oom Dawid Kruiper was recorded for the archives as well.

One of the major problems was not having drinking water sources. The community had to dig wells to get water. After his death, and media coverage of the challenges the communities face , his dream about running water became a reality.  

The team visited the family during the Kalahari Desert Festival.

The house of Dawid Kruiper’s sister

Poverty remains the biggest problem for these people. They struggle each day for food. As Bushmen they still try to survive from the Kalahari sand dunes, which is not an easy thing to do.

A positive development by the government is that the team of SASSA (social grants) is actively involved by registering the people around Andriesvale. We saw them working there, and we thank the government for their involvement and the good work of the acting premier of the Northern Cape.

From right, Mr Billies Pamo, Moshe Maghundu,
the Kruiper’s sister with her daughter, Mr Simon Hasjenda, Mr Riano Nduve.

I thought it will be good to take a photo with the Kruiper family as their issues of poverty has touched my heart. The hope remains that their problems would be addressed!

I told the X-K FM team of the water issues before we visited, and when they saw the tap, they all were very happy to see it!  (See photo on top)

I have been waiting for this opportunity to witness it myself. I visited the house of late Oupa Dawid Kruiper around 25th March 2013. I could see that the water that Oupa Kruiper had been craving for, had finally became a reality. 

I could even drink from the tap outside his house. 

It is a pity that Dawid Kruiper himself could not witness it, but his family appreciates the legacy he has left behind!

Related posts:

X-K FM archivist at the Kalahari Desert Festival 

The burial service of  Oom Dawid Kruiper, Andriesvale, Kalahari

In memory of Dawid Kruiper, tradional leader of the Khomani San

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist at SABC Radio Archives.

In remembrance of a Living Library of Platfontein

IN MEMORY OF MATOKA MATTHEUS, 3 OCTOBER 2012

Report by Moshe Maghundu, Librarian/Archivist at SABC Platfontein.

Following on the 31/201 BN Replica Obelisk unveiling at Platfontein, one veteran who lived to witness this day, Mr. Matoka Mattheus has passed away on 3 October 2012. His burial took place on the 4^th, the next day. 

This tragic incident left the residers of Platfontein, especially the !xun community, reeling with shock.

Left: Ds. Mario Mahongo,middle: Chief Kamama Mukua(Khwe) and Right: Mr. Matoka Mattheus(deceased)

Many spoken to said that the !xun community won’t be the same again without Mr. Matoka.

Matoka’s background:

Matoka Mattheus was in the army since early 1960 while in Angola and he was a Battalion Captain and a “sersant” (sergeant) till his retirement. People interviewed said that he was very good with everything that he  .

He was a traditional leader at the day of his death and Mr Matoka was a good, friendly and very humble man.

According to Malton Edburg, X-K fm programme co-coordinator, Matoka Mattheus was, while 

in Omega, Namibia, a trainer who trained basic skills of animal tracking at school.

Malton also said that everything Mr. Matoka did back in Angola, being at the forefront of his community, can categorise him at the levels of a hero (a San hero).

The San people’s where scattered and Mr. Matoka took the initiative to gather them again. The Angolan Portuguese war seperated them, but he could manage to bring them together again.

Matoka’s burial started off 8 o'clock at a !xun community church where different activities took place and later proceeded to the grave yard.

His friend chief Kamama Mukua was also there to give his last respect and also had very inspiring words of encouragement to give the immediate families and !xun community.

Left: Chief Kamama(Khwe), Right: Malton (x-k fm programmes)

The station X-K fm was there to broadcast live from the scene as it serves to deliver excellent service to the communities.

At the grave yard

The day was concluded by Ds. Mario Mahongo giving words of comfort to the family.

Special thanks to:

·         Team X-K fm –Mr Malton Edburg        (programme coordinator) (photo)

                           Mr Piorro Mushavango (producer)

                           Mr Simon Hasjenda       (producer)

·         RBF                  Mrs Rena Maghundu     (technical producer) (photo)

Related post:

Remembering San heroes who died in the war (SADF)

Remembering SAN heroes who died in the war (SADF)

Blog post by Moshe Maghundu, Librarian/Archivist at SABC Platfontein.

The 31/201 BN Replica Obelisk Unveiling at Platfontein, Kimberley

201 BN, Omega

Moshe Maghundu reporting about the ceremony at Platfontein for the 31st Bushmen Battalion (which became 201 BN) at Omega Base Headquarters:

"For the first time in history, the affairs of the Khwe and !xun of Platfontein have been given recognition. I would like to thank the organisers and the involment of the SA Army for the contribution they made to this day."

SADF setting up

"The activities included  traditional dance and veterans who are still alive were dressed according to tradition while others wore the same the uniform  of the old 201 BN, Omega." 

From left: Effie Dixon, Piorro Mushavango (X-K FM producer) and Nicolas Tenda

"The white contingents also came to celebrate with us, and thanks to all those who came from Cape Town for the day."

"The names of the soldiers will be remembered by the Obelisk that was unveiled."     

"The military base Omega is not beautiful as it was. It is being vandalised, but apparently the government has new plans for the new Omega."

Photos by Moshe Maghundu during his September 2012 viusit to Namibia

"Chief Kamama Mukua was there to witness the day as he himself was also in 201 BN.

The day was a very emotional day as we remembered our friends, uncles and fathers who died in the war between SA and the PLAN (People’s liberation army of Namibia).

The day was celebrated with mixed feelings as it opened up old wounds for some.

SABC News Kimberley and X-K FM was there to cover the whole event.

The communities of Platfontein,!xun and Khwe came in a large numbers."

"The traditional dance groups started off with a typical SAN value which is very precious; the making of the fire with a stick which are called "bushman magic."

                               

"A significant event was the hoisting of the flags; the old 201 BN Omega flag and the South African flag."

"This day will be remembered and celebrated each year on 15 September, a fitting reminder of our collective heritage."

The burial service of Oom David Kruiper, Andriesvale, Kalahari

Saturday 30^th June 2012

Compiled by Moshe Maghundu, librarian/archivist of  X-K FM community station which broadcasts in !Xu and Khwe from SABC Platfontein.

"It was a historic burial service for a Bushman, something that was not recorded before in Bushman’s history. David Kruiper was honoured and recognised by the government. He always had to fight with the government for recognition of his leadership.

At the funeral Oom David Kruiper was called the Giant, the lion of the Kalahari and Wise One.

Oom David Kruiper was involved with the land issue for his people. He even went to Geneva to seek for help in this regard. He hiked to Cape Town to speak to the government about the land issue.

According to the family, oom David Kruiper was a “mense se leier” (leader of the people), a person who was open for any advice, and a person who was not authoritarian in his dealings with other people.

Moshe Maghundu interview with the family of David Kruiper

The area where oom David Kruiper lived is very poor. He always addressed these issues with the government for assistance.

Interior of David Kruiper's house

I was so privileged that the family took me in the house where Oom David Kruiper lived to take some photos. The family want that the truth about Oom David is told.

Moshe Maghundu interviewing Oom Jan

Oom Jan told me that none of the good things he heard today about David is true. He had a long relationship with David, since childhood, and had never seen David to be the Giant or the Lion. These names should be used for people with high stature, and David wasn’t that; he was always down to earth, equal with his community.

Oom David Kruiper's house

The family of David Kruiper pointed out that the local community of Andriesvale area does not have the following: water points, a preschool, clinic or a shelter. The community has to walk 15-17 km to Ashkam for medication. The family are grateful to the government for the burial service, but feel that some of the contribution should have gone to the community.

The day ended of a respected man of the San in history, which will forever be told."

SABC Kimberley/Platfontein was there to cover the burial service.

Thanks to Ilse, Bennie and Neels for their support in recording the story of David Kruiper."

                                                                                    - Moshe Maghundu

Moshe Maghundu

Moshe Maghundu is busy cataloguing the material he recorded about David Kruiper, and the categories are:

• The burial service audio (6 hours audio) 
• Different interviews 
• Photos

Related post: 

In memory of David Kruiper, traditional leader of the Khomani San

Pops Mohamed Music Project for the San at SABC Platfontein

Pops Mohamed in the SABC Platfontein studio

Moshe Maghundu, Librarian/Archivist at SABC Platfontein, reports about the Pops Mohamed Music Project.

Pops Mohamed is a local South African musician championing the African music culture through the use of indigenous African musical instruments.

Pops Mohamed being interviewed

"Update on the good things that are happening here at SABC Platfontein:

The studio at SABC Platfontein

We started with a music project with Pops Mohamed. He is training us on how to use the studio system to produce music tracks to record the culture and music of the San people.

It is like a dream coming true. 

I remember Rena and me running around to look for a sponsorship for the local upcoming artists of Platfontein to have a studio where they can record their own music.

Pops Mohamed answered the call. 

We have a studio facilities today and I believe that our music [music of the San] will soon be available.

We were able to record a track was composed the same day. I personally loved the mixing part. 

 It is wonderful to see the impact an individual can have in a person's life.

The San has access to music facilities in order to tell the rest of South Africa our own stories through music.

I am so inspired through everything Pops Mohamed is doing for our community, and it’s my prayer that the Almighty will use him to bring development among the voiceless."