The Northern Cape Provincial Government will commemorate 2022 Human Rights Day by honouring members of the Khoe community who were killed by the Boers during 1902 Leliefontein Massacre. The massacre occurred on 31 January at the Leliefontein Methodist mission station in Kamiesberg Municipality in Namakwa District.

According to research Boer leader Manie Maritz killed over 35 members of the Khoe community  in retaliation for attacking his party when he went to interview the European missionaries in the town.

The attack which took place over two days saw residents of Leliefontein inflicting serious casualties on the Boers on the first day when they killed 30 of them and lost only seven Khoe people in the fight.

Maritz summoned reinforcements and invaded Leliefontein the following day leading to a battle in which over 35 Khoe people were killed and an estimated 100 wounded. The residents of Leliefontein were massacred while taking shelter in the mission church. Research indicates that Leliefontein was one of the first massacres of the 20th century in South Africa. The Leliefontein mission had livestock and it also produced corn and vegetables. The settlement was completely destroyed by Maritz's troops. Those left by the massacre were hunted down by Boer forces and killed while others were captured and forced to work as slave labourers cooking and cleaning for the troops.

South Africa is this year commemorating Human Rights Month under the theme:  “The Year of Unity and Renewal: Protecting and Preserving our Human Rights Gains”. Premier Zamani Saul is expected to deliver a keynote address. He will be accompanied by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Ms. Desery Fienies, other Members of Executive Council and  Local Mayors. The Department has scheduled a number of dialogues, educational and information sessions with the communities of Leliefontein, Paulshoek, Rooifontein, Nourivier and Kamasies in the build-up to the main event. The Department will also be supporting the Phakamile Mabija half marathon which will be held in Kimberley on Monday, 21 March 2022.

 

This year’s commemoration of Human Rights Day coincides with the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution. The Constitution enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom.

 

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Issued by: Communications Unit

Northern Cape Sport, Arts and Culture Department

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