SABC Media Libraries: funeral

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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.