Cape Town’s Civic Honours: Celebrating Icons and Acknowledging the Khoi Heritage

Cape Town will award Civic Honours to several notable citizens, past and present, who have made significant contributions to society both locally and globally. The ceremony will take place in December and will recognize a diverse group of individuals, including lawyer Albie Sachs, cricket legend Basil D’Oliveira, pop icon Brenda Fassie, humanitarian Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, and renowned playwright Athol Fugard. However, the most exciting recipient is Krotoa, a historical figure from the Khoi community.

The Inclusion of Krotoa

Krotoa, also known as Eva, served as a !Uriǁ’aeǀona translator for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) during the founding of the Cape Colony in the 17th century. She is one of the most well-documented women in South African history, and the United East India Company’s (VOC) journals began referencing her by her Khoi name as early as 1652, making her the first woman in European records of the Cape Town settlement.

Krotoa’s Contributions

As a member of the !Uriǁ’aeǀona people, Krotoa was the niece of Autshumao, a Khoi chieftain and trader. She joined Jan van Riebeeck’s household at the age of twelve, where she learned Dutch and Portuguese. Krotoa’s linguistic skills enabled her to become an interpreter for Dutch traders seeking cattle from the indigenous population. Through her work as a translator, trader, and mediator, she earned respect from all parties involved.

Personal Struggles

Despite her contributions, Krotoa faced personal struggles, including alcoholism, which led to her banishment to Robben Island. She was baptized into the Dutch Reformed Church as a teenager and received a Christian burial on the island. The recognition of her achievements during Women’s Month has been a heartwarming tribute, according to Ward Councilor Elton Jansen.

Honoring Khoi Heritage

In February 2023, Jansen submitted a motion urging Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to promote Khoi heritage in Cape Town and honor the community’s forefathers alongside Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu on the Civic Centre building. Other proposals include erecting a statue of Dawid Stuurman, a Khoi chief and political activist, in Green Point or the City Centre. Jansen emphasizes that the Khoi people greeted the British and Dutch warmly when they arrived in Cape Town, and the city should take the lead in preserving their history.

Celebrating Cape Town’s Cultural Tapestry

This diverse selection of Civic Honours recipients showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Cape Town and the impact of its remarkable individuals on the local community and the world. By including Krotoa in this prestigious list, the city acknowledges the vital role that the Khoi people have played in its history and takes an important step in celebrating their heritage. With this initiative, Cape Town continues to be a city that embraces and honors the contributions of its diverse population.