GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Khoi and San leader Cedric Norman Witbooi is a fifth-generation captain of the Henry Norman Wynand Witbooi Namas.
Cedric who hails from Kroonvale in Graaff-Reinet, inherited this title upon the death of his father, Henry Norman Wynand Witbooi in 2008, who inherited it from his father Henry Norman Wynand Witbooi in 1983, who inherited it from his father Henry Wynand Witbooi in 1951, who inherited this title from his father Hendrik Wynand Witbooi in 1910.
Who are the Khoi and San?
The Khoi and San people were the first people in Southern Africa, and their history is both fascinating and a sombre reminder on how our direct and indirect actions can bring about the decline of an entire people.
Long before the first settlers arrived on South African shores, there were various groups of people who spread out sparsely across the land. These people, today called the Khoi and San were skilled hunter-gatherers and nomadic farmers who lived off the land.
And yet, in spite of their earliest presence on the land, they're among the country's most persecuted people. And even after the fall of Apartheid in South Africa, they are among the most forgotten as well.
The Khoi and San have a very rich history in the Graaff-Reinet district with many descendants of the various Khoisan groups, the San, Griqua, Nama, Koranna and the Cape Khoi, residing in the area. Cedric, was born into a family which stems from the Nama group. The family names, Hendrik Wynand, Henry Wynand and Henry Norman Wynand has been passed down through generations, with the leadership being passed down by way of the sons in the family, the succession of which is prescribed by customary law.
Although these indigenous peoples are still not officially recognized as such, Cedric is immensely proud of the rich traditions, history and way of life of his people and is eager to share it with the community.
Those who would like to find out more about the Khoi and San peoples' context as it relates to their modern day challenges, is invited to contact Cedric at 082 955 7789 or cednor@mweb.co.za
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