PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Griqua people, who are central to the South African land question, came under the spotlight during a presentation made to the Van Plettenberg Historical Society on Thursday 19 September.

Historian Mike Kantey took the audience on a route followed by the Griquas to various places where they established settlements - including ending up in Kranshoek, near Plettenberg Bay.

In the presence of members of the Griekwa Nasionale Konferensie van Suid-Afrika (GNKSA), Kantey recounted that for most commentators of the coastal holiday town of Plettenberg Bay, the Griqua community amounted to only one particular group based in Kranshoek.

Different patriarchs

However, the true history of those known by that name for over 150 years, was far more complicated and, like the Scottish clans, involved different patriarchs at different times in different places.

Adam Kok
The prominent clans are those of the first Adam Kok, and the later Waterboers and Le Fleurs. The places where they found temporary refuge included Piketberg, Hopetown, Philippolis, Kokstad, with them only arriving in Kranshoek as late as the 20th century.

Mike Kantey gives a talk on the Griqua people at the Van Plettenberg Historical Society’s meeting at Emily Moon’s on Thursday 19 September.

'Dynamic flow'

Kantey made a rough sketch of the personalities, events, and locations, giving "a rare glimpse of how history is not confined to one man or one category of race, class, and religion, but is always the result of a dynamic flow in fortunes and favours".

Roderick Williams of the GNKSA office in Kranshoek gave some further insights into the Griqua heritage and the fact that the Griquas still owned land in Philippolis in the Free State. 

He also corrected what he called some misconceptions.

Sara Baartman

He also recounted the role the GNKSA played, through diplomatic and other government channels, to relocate the remains of Sara Baartman from France to her final resting place in South Africa. Baartman was exhibited as the "Hottentot Venus" in the 19th century.

The Griquas descend from the original Khoikhoi and Williams said the GNKSA was reaching out to the San people as well.

Roderick Williams, left, of the Griekwa Nasionale Konferensie makes a point during the talk on the Griqua people by Mike Kantey, right.

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