Khoi San People Demand Recognition As South Africa’s First People, As They Should

Several South African publications report that a group of Khoi San activists were protesting outside Nasrec, where the leading party, African National Congress was hosting its national elective conference on Sunday. The activists had reportedly been camping outside the Union Buildings for two weeks.

They were there to demand that Khoi San be recognized as the first inhabitants of what is now South Africa. Khoi San people feel left out in South Africa, because really they are. Their language isn't listed under the 11 official languages of South Africa. But you'll find it on the South African coat of arms.

"The ANC is trying to convince the whole world that there are no more Khoi San people in South Africa," Chief Marble, president of the Khoi San Mass Movement, was quoted as saying by the Mail & Guardian. "I am not Nguni, I am not Afrikaans. I want to speak my language like everyone else."

IOL reports that Khoi San people want their language to be made an official language, and want the "land act" to be scraped as it prevents them from owning land.

The website quoted Khoi San Liberation and Mass Movement national coordinator Anthony Philip saying, "A government we all fought for very hard is disheartening and disappointing that in 24 years the ANC has not seen the way open to correct the injustice of the past. So we are here to tell them we want you to correct what is an injustice towards the indigenous first nation of this country."