‘We will continue to protest until government fulfills its promise to us’
"I filed a complaint against the government to the Human Rights Commission pointing out that we [Khoi, San and Coloured] are being violated, discriminated against and aren't recognised."
The secretary-general of the Gauteng Khoi and San Council, Chief Elwin White, said he supports the protest taking place in Riverlea stating that, “People are tired of being made to feel stupid because promises are made but nothing gets implemented by the government”.
He is very despondent about the lack of development in Coloured communities. He claims that the Constitution doesn’t recognise the needs of the Khoi, San and Coloured people.
White says protests exist when settlers feel that a ruling body shows no sign of care towards its people or doesn’t listen to their grievances.
Main Reef Road from Riverlea was barricaded with stones and burning tyres. Motorists had to find alternate routes to get to their respective destinations. Leading to massive congestion on major roads.
“Social ills have overwhelmed our communities giving rise to even more major challenges for our people to face. We need jobs, development and better opportunities in Coloured areas.”
“I filed a complaint against the government to the Human Rights Commission pointing out that we [Khoi, San and Coloured] are being violated, discriminated against and aren’t recognised. The government claims to have the ‘best’ Constitution but I’d have to disagree,” he said.
HRC took Mr White’s complaint to heart by visiting the predominantly Coloured communities in the Western and Northern Cape and Gauteng to lend an ear.
“This was also to further ascertain whether people felt discriminated against or well represented as Coloured people.
The HRC filed a report after visiting the other two provinces and it was sent to the Presidency. We have not received word from them since, hence these protests,” he said.
White said it is hard for your voice to be heard at a government level. He said the challenges people faced 24 years ago still remain.
“When you lodge a complaint, you expect a solution. How are we supposed to feel when there seems to be no progress in our lives and communities? The government thinks we are a foolish people and that’s why these protests will continue.
“We want to be treated equally and to be taken seriously when we raise our problems to any government structure. Khoi, San and Coloured people are all human beings,” he said.
Gallery:
Pics courtesy of Tshepiso Masilwane.
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