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Pniel community returns to ancestral land
The community of Pniel, who had been victims of forced removals under the government in the early 1900s, is celebrating the return of their land through the current government's land restitution programme, The New Age reports. The Pniel farm is now vested in the state through the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development in the Northern Cape.
Agriculture MEC Norman Shushu addressed the children and great grandchildren of the original families who had been removed from Pniel and forced to squat in areas like Kimberley, Pampierstad, Barkly West, Long Lands and Katherine.
"We have bought your land back for R63m and urge you to cooperate with the department when we move to the second phase of building houses and infrastructure." Shushu said. "If you wish, you can go and stay in Pniel now, you are welcome to do so, but I am begging you to give [the department] a chance [...] to first get issues like housing, water and electricity in order before you move back, we have a task team that will be working hand in hand with you" he said. The task team, which is mainly made up of the department officials, will meet with relevant stakeholders to discuss infrastructure development in the area.
Chairperson of the Community Propriety Association Corrie Solomon said the community had been "waiting for this moment. We are so excited, the MEC has acted on his commitment, as he promised." Solomon told The New Age the task team will look into the infrastructure development first before the community can move back to their ancestors' land. "I am sure everyone here cannot wait to go back," he said. Pniel, a mission station established by the Berlin Missionary Society on the Vaal River in 1845, is about 18km from Kimberley. The area is rich in diamonds, farm land, cattle and game.
Read the full article on www.thenewage.co.za.
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