Kolong/Dikgageng people
9 September 2007
As part of Heritage Month celebrations, Water Affairs and Forestry Minister,
Lindiwe Hendricks unveiled the Taung Dam Memorial Stone at Manthe Village in
Taung on Saturday, 8 September 2007. The memorial stone is dedicated to the
memory of the Kolong/Dikgageng people who inhabited the valley which form the
basin of the Taung Dam.
The historic event brought back memories of the country's unfortunate
history of injustice and insensitivity. The ancestral burial site for Kolong
/Dikgageng people with one hundred and fifty three graves was buried under the
waters of the dam during its construction by the erstwhile Bophuthatswana
administration in 1983.
Addressing close to four thousand villagers, Minister Hendricks said that
September is a very important month on the country's calendar because it gives
us the opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage we share as South
Africans.
"It is a time for reflection, a time for celebration and a time to recommit
ourselves to continue valuing and protecting our diverse heritage," she
added.
She highlighted the need for the dam to be utilised for socio-economic
projects to the benefit of the communities around Taung and that her department
is looking at how this could take place. She said that the North West Parks and
Tourism Board is in the process of establishing a protected environment around
the Taung Dam and that this development would guarantee job opportunities for
local people in the tourism sector.
In paying tribute to the Kolong/Dikgageng people on behalf of Premier
Molewa, North West MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard
Yawa, said that after long consultative process involving a variety of
stakeholders and role players, government has responded to the interests and
needs of Batlhaping Ba-Ga Maidi. This was in order to reassert the humanity and
the importance of the Kolong/Dikgageng people. The Provincial Government also
stressed the need for the water to be utilised to support agriculture
especially to emerging farmers including women and for sanitation for hygienic
purposes and the basic dignity of the people of Taung.
"While the dam was never constructed with the local people in mind, rest
assured that the democratic government of the country appreciates your being
close to it and the land upon which it is constructed, and therefore sees you
as important custodians of this important infrastructure. In that sense you are
life-givers to your entire fellow South Africans relying upon this dam for
their water," MEC Yawa told the villagers.
After laying flowers on the memorial site, 71 year old Goreramang Moepeng
who is a family member to some of the people buried underneath the dam said,
"We appreciate that our government cares and has done something to redress the
injustices of the past. Our ancestors can now rest in peace."
An overjoyed Kgosi Motlhabane also expressed appreciation that after four
years of engagement, government has responded positively to the request of his
traditional council.
In the spirit of renewal, growth, commemoration and reconciliation, trees of
remembrance were also planted at the memorial site by Minister Hendricks, MECs
Yawa and Bubu Van Wyk for Local Government and Housing in North West and
Northern Cape respectively, Executive Mayor for Bophirima District
Municipality, Kaone Lobelo , Mayor Boitumelo Mahlangu of Greater Taung Local
Municipality, Kgosi Motlhabane of Ba-Ga Maidi Traditional Council , Kgosi
Tshepo Mankuroane of Baphuduhucwana Traditional Council and families of the
ancestors.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3814
Fax: 018 387 2868
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing, North
West Provincial Government
9 September 2007
