18 August 2000
SMITHSDRIFT - Amid a rendition of songs by traditional and school choirs, Communications Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri on Friday switched on a red button at the entrance to a mobile studio, marking the official launch of the !Xu and Khwe community radio station (X-K FM) here, saying the event spelt the end of "decades of marginalisation by apartheid of the !Xu and Khwe culture and language."
A huge crowd of schoolchildren, community leaders, SABC executives, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa councillor Julia Hope and residents, applauded as Dr Matsepe-Casaburri and Northern Cape Premier Manne Dipico made speeches which were beamed live through K-X FM on the 99.4MHz SABC band.
Said Dr Matsepe-Casaburri: "Without the history of this group of people who liver here and rooted in our country we'll not be able to understand where we come from so that we can chart a course for where we're going."
Addressing the gathering in English and Afrikaans, she condemned the alienation of some communities, saying "It must not be allowed that other people should be alienated".
"The X-X FM will afford the people of Smithsdrift an opportunity to tell their story to South Africa and the world, not from our point of view but their point of view," she stressed. "In your station we hope to hear about your language, culture and traditions,' Dr Matsepe-Casaburri added.
She said for decades the !Xu and Khwe community were banished by apartheid to "the fringes of our history".
Dr Matsepe-Casaburri: "It is important for us to hear the stories of the !Xu Khwe. Nobody else can tell that story except the old people and youth of this area."
"Not long ago President Thabo Mbeki, in launching the country's new coat of arms the Union Buildings paid a fitting tribute to the Khoisan community of our country. He made his Cabinet ministers practise the phrase on the coat of arms."
Dr Matsepe-Csaburri: "Today we mark yet another special occasion in our history - the launch of this community radio station for the !Xu and Khwe. We hope that they will share with us their rich cultural heritage, as their voice will be heard for the first time on their own radio station."
She added: "Today the Government is proud to led your voice which for decades was marginalised by apartheid to be heard." The Minister thanked companies and telecommunications portfolio organisations for the role they played in contributing to the success of the event. The Minister and Premier Dipico handed radios to the community's oldest couple - Kauma and his wife Matoka (both 70 years old).
Radios were also presented to first two women in South Africa from the San community to matriculate - Estelle Kbinda (!Xu aged 27) and Matumbo Mohbo (Khwe aged 27). Both are full-time students studying at a nursing college in Kimberly. They matriculated in 1998. The Universal Service Agency offered the community two computers.
Issued by: Department of Communications
Issued: Brian Sokutu
Ministry Spokesperson
Cell: 083-327-3229