The Kalahari Desert Festival 2015, Andriesvale

By: Moshe Maghundu
Archivist and Librarian, Platfontein, Northern Cape

On Thursday, 19 March, the X-K FM broadcast team got the privilege again to do the Kalahari Desert Festival 2015 (KDF 2015).

Left: Simon Hasjenda (Programme producer); Moshe Maghundu (Archivist);
Reinhardt Kampunda (Presenter)
Right: Jeta Manuel (Presenter)
[Camera: Rena Maghundu (Technical producer)]

It is an opportunity to do stories, interviews and oral history for SABC Platfontein Archives, but it does not come easy due to budgetary constraints.

This is the third festival that Moshe Maghundu attended where he could gather a sizeable amount of material for broadcast and for the Archive. Speaking to people around the festival is easier than speaking to them at home where they are asking for monetary compensation before telling their stories. He is appreciative of the fact that the people came to talk to him for free.

The broadcast location was centred right in the middle of all activities It was very easy getting hold of people for interviews.

They got hold of Andries Steenkamp on the first day. He is a respected leader from the area and he is one of the organisers of the Kalahari Desert Festival 2015. He has a very strong vision of the KDF and how he want the festival to survive in future.

The tent was used as a lecture venue for the three San languages; !xun, Khwe an !khomani. It was amazing to observe how encouraged the young people were in learning these languages.

The beauty of the Kalahari: dry, with grasses and plants
which can only grow in the Kalahari

One of the challenges they had was the booking of Telkom lines. Telkom could not give them any lines because of birds making their nests on these poles which became heavy and breaks the poles.

Thanks to technology, they used the mobile devices Comrex for Broadcast.

















At the festival there were many activities which kept the youth entertained, with drama performances, poetry and music.

There were young ladies modelling for the crowd.

The ladies team from Platfontein also took part in the traditional dance performances. This was very encouraging seeing the young people interested in the cultural affairs.

Moshe Maghundu arranged for an interview with one of the organisers of the Kalahari Desert Festival. She spoke on issues of the San people being exploited. Researchers and film crews do not compensate fairly for research and visual material being shot in the area.

Police and medical crews were on standby in case of emergencies.

Day 2 of the broadcast by X-K FM

They managed to do a number of interviews with Andries Steenkamp. Moshe Maghundu helped out to make sure that everything went well with the broadcasts before going off  "sound hunting".

Children were also given the opportunity to enjoy the festival with jumping castles. The day was cloudy with some drops of rain, but the wind was one of the main challenges. They were thankful that the Gazebo was not blown away.

There was also a session of storytelling around the fire where by all San groups came together to tell their stories. It was a very exciting experience for all!

-------------------------

Thanks to the following people for believing in the work that's been done:
- Regina Beregho, the station manager of X-K FM - for taking the initiative to arrange for this trip for Moshe Maghundu. It would not have been possible without her and he would not have been able to do his work in the Kalahari.
- Hennie Swart - for all the financial support. Thanks for believing  in the development of the San people by supporting the X-K FM Archives: "Baie dankie Hennie, ek waardeur alles!"
- Colleagues: Simon Hasjenda, Rena Maghundu, Reinhardt Kampunda and Jeta Manuel - "Thanks for the co-operation you gave. I really enjoyed working with you all.You all are hard-working and we all had one mission to accomplish, and that was to do our best for our station X-K FM".


Related posts

- The Kalahari Desert Festival 21 - 23 March 2014 > "Sound Hunting" for archival purposes

- X-K FM archivist at the Kalahari Desert Festival

The Kalahari Desert Festival 21 - 23 March 2014 > "Sound Hunting" for archival purposes

SOUND HUNTING 
by Moshe Maghundu
Archivist: SABC Platfontein 

The Kalahari Desert Festival took place for a second time in the Kalahari at Andriesvale, ten kilometres from Ashkam. This event is very historical in nature to the SAN people as it brings together all San people from different countries with their traditional festivities.

The San people from Platfontein, the Kalahari, Upington and others from the Western Cape took part as the festivities started on the evening of Friday, 21 March, on Human Rights Day.

Moshe Maghundu was there with a crew to do “sound hunting”. He was able to host storytelling sessions with the Kalahari people and others. The people gave their full cooperation. He faced challenges with some people expecting to be reimbursed for their oral contributions. He complied out of his own pocket because of his love for the project. He understands and put a great value on their contributions for heritage and archival purposes.

Station X-K FM covered the event live from its opening till the evening of the last day Saturday 22 March.They were also responsible for arranging some of the interviews which Moshe recorded.

• Mr Markus Jetembo        Presenter
• Mr Joe Mpungo               Presenter
• Mr Piorro Mushavanga   Producer
• Me Rena Maghundu       Technical Producer
• Mr Moshe Maghundu     Archivist

X-K FM

X-K FM struggled with some technical difficulties, but luckily the technical producer took care of the problems.

It is highly appreciated that Mike Nemane provided the gazebo in which the broadcast took place.

The challenges of the Kalahari sand did not put a damper on the uplifting spirit of the festival.
Moshe Maghundu was working non-stop to get the people to tell their stories. Although it was hot, time was limited for him to get all the interviews.

Moshe Maghundu during a short break
before taking up the Marantz recorder again

DRAPJJ STARS

There were music performances in the main tent. The group from Platfontein, called the DRAPJJ STARS, with hip hop and rap music, mixed it up with the San language and the English language.

DRAPJJ STARS

The moment DRAPJJ STARS stepped  on the stage, every one in the surrounding areas ran to the tent to watch their performance.

X-K FM presenter interviewing young people

On the evening of the last day the presenter interviewed  young people about their  experiences at the Kalahari Desert Festival 2014. The presenters did an excellent job.

The donkey carts were the only transport allowed at the venue. People had to pay to be transported around in the area and it was found to be very trustworthy.

Hennie Swart

Special thanks goes to the main man, a friend, organiser and everything of the Kalahari Desert Festival.
He started the initiative for the San people to share their cultural heritage. His name is Hennie Swart, the only white man with a black surname. He drives a black Isuzu truck and likes wearing his black t-shirt.

Also thanks to the following people for making the trip a success:

• Me Regina Beregho, X-K FM station manager.
• Mr William Heath, Line Manager RBF.

X-K FM radio drama in the local San language of Platfontein

Story by Moshe and Rena Maghundu
Librarian/Archivist and Recording Technicians at SABC Platfontein


TUSSEN WASGOED DRADE  (Between washing lines)

X-K FM

 X- K FM, the radio broadcasting facilities (RBF), in partnership with SASI,  introduced a radio drama called "Tussen wasgoed drade" (Between washing lines). 

SABC RBF

SASI

It is recorded in the local San language of Platfontein (!Xun & Khwe) as well as in the San language of the Kalahari (N/u) and Afrikaans.


The drama addresses social issues in the community and also educates the listeners on health matters.  

The script writer Alme Swart was exposed to the San communities since her birth as her parents were teachers at Schmidtsdrift San Combined School. It was not easy to start with the script she said. She had to drive through the community to get the feeling of the kind of living of the San Communities.

Platfontein actors – Xun & Khwe

Actors busy recording in X-K FM studio

The youth of Platfontein are very passionate about educating the people of Platfontein through their drama message. The drama is the most listened to on the station and is aired every Wednesday after the 16:00 pm news with a repeat on Sunday at 12:00 pm.

Kalahari actors– Andriesvale

“Ek voel sommer jonk hier tussen die kinders," says Ouma Geel. (I feel very young here with the young people.)
 She’s the only N/u speaker among the Afrikaans speaking youngsters. She translated the character of Charlene, the widow, and Juliet’s best friend in the N/u language.
"Ek is so bly dat die Here my gespaar het om vandag my taal op te neem vir my afstammelinge," was Ouma Geel’s words. (I am so glad that I was saved to record my language for my descendants.)
She also does part-time translations in her language.


The production team had the following comments:
 It was not easy couching and mentoring junior actors who do not have a drama background. The SABC team had to sit in at their rehearsal sessions. They started recording this drama in Afrikaans at Platfontein. After they met with the Kalahari actors who only speak Afrikaans, they had no other option but to change the one of Platfontein in the two languages of Platfontein which is the !xun and Khwe.

They had to work extremely hard to accomplish this product, especially with the editing part.

Special thanks to the SABC for the equipment and SASI for the CD's to get this product to the relevant people. 
The wish is that we get more sponsorships to run such a project continuously.
Special thanks, as well, to Billies Pamo (Project manager at SASI) for managing the team.

The X-K FM programme producers, Piorro Mushavango and Simon Hasjenda for the excellent promos, and the programme manager, Malton Edburg, for allowing the drama to be on air.
Lastly, Me Regina Beregho of X-K FM, for seeing the value in this drama and her continuous support.

Here is a promo of the drama, in the local San languages:

- Alme Swart (Script writer)
- Moshe Maghundu (Recording Technician)
 -Rena Maghundu   (Technical producer, editing & packaging)


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the 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