Kitso Ya Tlhago:
An alternate archive in aid of the land claims process for indigenous South Africans
Land in South Africa is a deeply contested resource, marred by a history of dispossession that has disproportionately affected the native population. Currently, Native South Africans, constituting a significant 79% of the populace, only own a mere 4% of the agricultural land, while the white minority, comprising 9% of the population, holds a substantial 72% of agricultural land (Chigumadzi, 2022:4). The prevailing system for claiming land is inherently flawed, as it predominantly favors the white minority. This bias is evident in the stringent requirements for providing evidence of dispossession, which necessitate written archival proof—a method incongruent with the traditional African approach to information storage and transmission.
In response to this disparity, the proposed work seeks to establish an archive with an array of alternative resources, mappings, and spatial research methodologies. One notable avenue involves the transmission of indigenous knowledge on Batswana farming techniques, incorporating the use of the Setswana calendar and indigenous knowledge systems pertaining to astronomy to enhance farming practices. The strategic utilization of legislation, specifically heritage law, serves as an adaptive means to secure a title deed and furnish evidence of continuous inhabitance.
Furthermore, indigenous knowledge systems such as memory mapping and storytelling devices, notably interviews, are integral components of this initiative. These are complemented by the integration of online mapping tools to create a accurate map of the contested site. The resulting information and the innovative archival methods developed through this project are intended not only to serve the immediate purpose of the land claim but to be adaptable and beneficial for other indigenous South Africans in the future. The goal is to create a comprehensive resource that future generations can utilize to support their land claims.
