Remembering District Six Photo South African History Archive
South Africa – One hundred and ten years ago, on June 19, 1913, the Native Land Act was passed in the Union of South Africa, effectively prohibiting natives from owning, leasing, or acquiring land. This landmark legislation marked the beginning of formal land dispossession in the country, affecting countless South Africans. The act was eventually repealed in June 1991, but its impact and legacy still reverberate to this day.
District Six holds immense significance in the country’s history, serving as a symbol of dispossession and injustice endured by many South Africans. This area became a focal point due to the displacement of its residents under the Group Areas Act during apartheid. However, it is important to acknowledge that the dispossession of land was not limited to District Six alone; it affected people across the country. However, the Native Land Act really “crystallised” land disposition in South Africa, explained Chrischene Julius, Acting Director and head of archives at District Six Museum.
“We have to acknowledge that that has happened. We need to ensure that people receive justice but at the same time it’s not just about justice. It’s also about people being able to have a sense that their dignity has been restored.”
The importance of documentation in land claims
One of the critical challenges faced by individuals seeking land restitution is the requirement for supporting documentation. The reopening of land claims in 2013 imposed the need for evidence of residence in District Six or the specific area from which one was dispossessed. Unfortunately, many families, uprooted from their homes, did not retain essential documents such as rent cards or accounts with local businesses.
“Many people were literally thrown out of District Six and they didn’t keep their rent cards. They didn’t keep the accounts with the local shopkeeper. What we really want to advise people in those moments when you are looking for birth certificates, looking for something that proves that your family lived at an address, you should visit the Western Cape Archives and Record Services which is in Roeland Street. There you can actually find the birth certificates. You can do family research to show that your family did live at a particular address.”
Even things such as a business licence, community testimonies and family history records, can strengthen a land claim.
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Land restitution: Returning to District Six
The District Six Museum, serving as a hub for preserving history and advocating for restitution, encourages individuals to opt for returning to District Six rather than seeking financial compensation. The restitution process, however, has been slow and fraught with frustration.
“People who have put in their claims in 1998, they still haven’t returned to District Six. We are concerned that those claimants who come in 2013 might not be successful or that it will take a long time to come back. When people are feeling desperate, they want to come back to District Six or they want that injustice to be recognised, we really try to encourage people to not take the financial compensation.”
Those who are elderly and have put in a claim, Julius has urged them to put it in their will to have their claim passed down to the younger generation. This is who the District Six museum is fighting for also. There is a real fear that the younger generation will not be able to create the vibe District Six had in the past. Therefore, it is important that the older generation come back to help restore District Six and teach the youngsters what it was like in the past, said Julius.
As we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the 1913 Native Land Act, it is imperative to reflect on the journey towards land restitution and justice in South Africa. District Six stands as a poignant symbol of displacement and the ongoing struggle for restoration. Through the District Six Museum and the collective efforts of the community, the spirit and traditions of this vibrant neighbourhood continue to thrive. Let us acknowledge the challenges faced, support those seeking rightful restitution, and ensure that the lessons learned from the past shape a more equitable future for all South Africans.
Chrischene Julius spoke to Julie Alli about the challenges and delays in the restitution process and what needs to be done to create the District Six of the past. Listen to that discussion here:
