Photo by [Reuters]
July Eccles, an activist and volunteer at Save Our Sacred Lands, believes that establishing the Amazon Headquarters in the Western Cape represents a form of “colonialism.” According to her, numerous Khoi-San leaders and groups also view it as an act of “ethnocide and epistemicide,” as it undermines a vital aspect of their identity.
While the construction of the Headquarters carries the potential for job creation and employment opportunities, many argue that it should not come at the expense of the cultural heritage sites of a particular South African group. This has led to questioning the rationale behind selecting this specific location.
Since the announcement, both Khoi and San leaders, as well as protesters and activist groups, have steadfastly opposed the decision to develop the land, which holds sacred and cultural significance for this minority group within the country.
“It’s heartbreaking and awful to see how our society is still so colonial. From 1652 when the Dutch arrived, there was a systematic ethnic cleansing and erasure of Khoi culture. Yet, Khoi people show us every day that they’re still so resilient and proud of their culture.”
Early Victories for the Khoisan
Upon the project’s public announcement, protesters swiftly inundated the Cape Town High Court with various forms of expression, such as signs, petitions, and lawsuits. Ultimately, the court ruled in favour of the applicants and decided to suspend the construction “as it recognised the fundamental rights of the Khoi-San people [which] cannot be superseded by commercial interests”.
Despite the interdiction, Eccles asserts that the developers proceeded with the construction, disregarding the concerns raised. Eccles claims that the city authorities and the developers largely overlooked these concerns. Nevertheless, she affirms their determination to fight against the construction fiercely.
“It was a historic ruling. For the first time perhaps in history recognised, or at least in colonial history, the fundamental rights of Khoi-San people [which] cannot be superseded by commercial interests … Funny enough, the builders or the developers didn’t care. They started building in violation of the interdict. Soon they were there with their powerful lawyers and their millions. They were appealing that and bringing all kinds of malicious lawfare against the Kho-San leaders who had won that interdict. It’s been a very steep uphill battle, but we know the truth is on our side, and the truth is on the side of the Khoi and San. For that reason, we continue to fight tooth and nail.”
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Cultural Connection to the Land in Question
Throughout centuries, the Liesbeek and Black Rivers, along with the encompassing terrain, have held a position of sacred reverence for the Khoi-San people. This region carries immense cultural and spiritual significance, representing a space intertwined with their heritage.
Furthermore, this area possesses a rich historical legacy that is important within the broader context of South African history. In addition to its historical value, it boasts a wide array of diverse plant and animal species, contributing to its ecological significance.
“This is a holy site, a sacred site for the Khoi-San, and it’s impossible to separate it from the sense of space and place. It is like the Al-Aqsa of the Khoi people, especially the peninsula. It’s like the Notre Dame of the French people, and here, you have people just simply building on it like it’s nothing.”
