Human Rights Violation Hearings — Nelspruit — 1996-09-04

MRS MADUNA: You said here Mr Nkweni came, is there any placed called Jabakweni, you named after this boer?  This NELSPRUIT HEARING TRC/MPUMALANGA
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boer Nkweni is the name coming from the community after realising that Mr Nkweni was really troubling the community.  Then the original name was Nkweni, now it is named Makweni.

MRS MADUNA: Now in other words when we continue with this name Makweni, you feel you associated that name with how you were assaulted by that Commissioner.  Another question that I can ask to you to clarify this problem.  Chiefly you have talked about your family and I didn't understand well, whether you said that other families were also affected, together with their members, who were also exhumed. If you know some of the families and you can tell us how many families were affected.

MOTSO ROMBENA NGWENYAMA: I can only say shortly that the community sometimes when you talk to them they say to you this is something of the past, what are we going to get as a benefit from it when we discuss it. That is taking us very much back.  That is why I explained in the beginning that I decided to come here so that if I can get the grave I can show to the members of the family.

MRS MADUNA: Just to take what is the opinion of the family, how would you feel when there can't be a place where there is usually a commemoration for all of those who were removed in this fashion, can you be happy about it? Let me just explain very clear.  We as the Commission, we met many people with this very same problem, like parents used to say our children were killed in June 16.  They used to say our children went to exile, they did not return home.  As a Commission our opinion is that if there can be - where we
can have the place where there can be a memorial service for all those who lost their lives during that time, because you also need, you only say you need the remains.  What about if NELSPRUIT HEARING TRC/MPUMALANGA
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we can one area where all the people affected can have a time for memorial services, to remember all the victims. My question is, can that help the problem as far as you are concerned.

MOTSO ROMBENA NGWENYAMA: Let's say today, somebody is not feeling as I feel.  When you say to somebody let's do this, somebody will say I don't care about that.  As far as I am concerned, the memorial services, like during the issue of Sharpeville, I appreciate it, but it is in our area I feel people cannot support that.  That's why I have decided to approach you as individuals.

MRS MADUNA: What is the main reason that makes you to lose temper in as far as this, you lose hope in fact that there can be no changes?

MOTSO ROMBENA NGWENYAMA: Is it the way in which we differ, our opinion and ideas differ, because some people say they do not see the value of concentrating to what has happened in the past.  They used to say we are not animals.  When somebody is late he is late. Then somebody will tell you why do you worry yourself with somebody who is dead. Then you tend to lose hope in that regard. As I am here today, as I am talking now I am not on duty, I am really affected by this. My family is affected also. I only ask the family member to accompany me to this.  This is not something that happened only today. It is just for, it happened long time. I explained everything.  I told them that the Commission is here but they did not come.  That is the reason some of us, they do not have the idea as I have that people who are already dead, they are
sometimes important.  Since we came to Umpumulanga this has been a problem to me. As I am saying to you that what the boers did to us, is really affecting me, because people are 
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using that name Kabaweni instead of Nudine.  Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON: Mr Ngwenyama, we would like to thank you for coming today to share your story with us. One of the most difficult parts in our history has been the removals of people from the lands of their ancestors.  And the Government has passed an Act, the Restitution of Land Act, which allows people to in fact make claim to those lands which they once owned.  What is difficult is the question of the ancestral graves because we know that if we lose the traditional link with ourselves, then we are almost nothing. The reason the Truth Commission looks at the past is because it does shape our future and it shapes what we actually are today. We would appreciate that you let us have sight of the documents which you claim, proves that you had that link with the land, that you are talking about.  We would ask that you share that information with our statement takers. We will also talk to your Chief and we will also be talking to the Land Commission to see if between us we cannot assist you, particularly in regard to the grave sites.  Thank you for coming today.

MOTSO ROMBENA NGWENYAMA: Thank you.