KINDERLE MEMORIAL
The site known as "Kinderle" is
situated on a small holding that lies 12km from Steinkopf. It consist of a
single grave were Nama children were buried.
It is a local heritage site and is
older than 60 years. In the year 1803 the missionary, Rev Johan Schmelen of
the London Mission society, found a group of Khoi at a place called
Besondermeid. Around 1805 Rev Schmelen and the Khoi established a
congregation and built a temple. Rev Schmelen renamed the place, Steinkopf,
after Professor Steinkopf, his mentor in theology abroad.
In the year that followed the Khoi suffered heavy droughts. This led to
conflict between the Khoi and the San. The Khoi moved to a place where
there was enough water and grazing for their herds, more than 17 kilometers
from the temple at Besondermeid. One specific weekend the San attacked
the small village and killed 32 Khoi children. The tragedy occurred while
their parents were attending a church service at Besondermeid.
One of the surviving children told the the sad news to the parents on their
return. The children were buried in one grave. Till this day it is called "Die
Graf van Kinderle" The grave where our children lay.
The Northern Cape Provincial staff of SAHRA attended the unveiling ceremony of
the "Kinderle" memorial. It took place on 30 June 2003.
The site depicts the follow:
10 Pillars ‑ Represent the ten commandments which the tradition of the Namas
is based on. It also reminds one of the ten families who lost their beloved
children during this tragedy.
The Chains represent the bondage in which the Namas lived for millennia. It
reminds us of the antagonism, social exclusion and marginalization from their
history and creations.
The Coffin with 32 white pebbles remind us of the tragedy and the message that
children are a gift from GOD. Let us care for our kids.
The wall of stone represents the protection which the South African Heritage
Resources Agency (SAHRA) gives to our cultural heritage and environment.
The project was an initiative of Amakwa!Haos supported by SAHRA.
Eda ! gai‑disib ! na ta lhuwu, Elob ge mu ‑ # ui basen llaib ei da nira ! gao
‑basen xuige tsou tama da ga ! o. (Gal.6:9)
And let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we shall reap if we do
not grow weary. (Gal.6:9)
Submitted by: SAHRA's Provincial Manager, Northern
Cape
