Khoi pick Knysna national leader

KNYSNA NEWS – KKaap, the political arm of the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council (GKKITC), recently elected Knysna local Neville Korkee as its new president.

Korkee was elected to the position of President of the Khoisan Kingdom and All People (KKaap) during a national GKKITC convention in Cape Town early in April.

The election now makes Korkee the national leader of the political party, which intends contesting against other political parties in the district, metropolitan and local municipalities around the country later this year.

Korkee (56) was born in Gqeberha and grew up in Coldstream village in the Eastern Cape. He has lived in Knysna for 30 years. "Politics have always been a part of my life, I have worked under the ANC in the past, and have served as an activist in my community for many years," Korkee said.

Korkee also served as a Senior Chief of the GKKITC in the Eden District for the past one and a half years. When he put on that mantle he planned to only serve as a cultural leader, but over time realised there is a need for GKKITC representation in the political arena. He recently told KPH of the importance of the GKKITC having a political leg.

"Politicians don't always look out for and consider our people," he explained. "By having a political party that represents our council and by extension our people, we will finally be able to fight for the rights and well-being of our people."

He has stood for the position of ward councillor under the ANC and Icosa, but has not yet served as one. Korkee acknowledges that his path to the national leadership of a political party is a strange one.

"I might not have served as a councillor or a minister yet, but I believe it was because I was not yet ready; I was not yet moulded well enough for those positions. Now, I do however believe that I am ready to act as national leader of KKaap."

For Korkee, the battle that lies ahead as national leader is one he is willing to fight for the betterment of the people of his tribe, the Goringhaicona.

Photos: Blake Linder