Author gives 100 copies of his book on Griquas to community

TIMOTHY TWIDLE Garden Route Correspondent

THE author of Children of the Mist – the Lost Tribe of South Africa, which depicts the history of the Griqua people from the 17th century to the present day, has donated 100 copies of the book to the community.

Speaking at the book‘s launch in Kranshoek outside Plettenberg Bay, Australian author Scot Balson said: “It is my great pleasure to donate 100 copies of the book to the community of Kranshoek for use in schools and libraries, and for the further dissemination of knowledge about the history of the Griquas.”

He said the book had grown from his interest in some of the unique coins the Griquas used for currency over the centuries.

Children of The Mist is the result of 30 years‘ research, during which Balson acquired 200 books and various documents about the Griquas.

“So far, the history of the Griqua people has been written from a Euro-centric perspective and has contained many inaccuracies. I set out to put the record straight,” he said.

Office bearers of the Griqua National Conference (GNC) who attended the function included paramount chief Alan le Fleur, GNC chairman Cecil le Fleur and GNC member Chief Samuel Johnson.

The Kranshoek community hall was filled to capacity for the launch.

The audience was entertained by the singing of the Griqua national choir prior to an address by Cecil le Fleur.

Le Fleur recounted some of the history of the Griquas, saying they had been “harried and harassed by Boer and Briton alike” over the centuries.

“But our will to resist and to survive triumphed as the oppressor was finally overcome. No oppressor can be dominant for ever – this lesson of history is demonstrated by the record of our people,” he said.

Alan le Fleur said they were honoured by the book and took great pride in it. “Many of our people do not know enough about our history and this book will go a long way towards correcting that,” he said.

The Griqua people are the descendants of the Khoikhoi (Hottentots) and the San (Bushmen). Over the decades the racial mix of the Griquas has embraced the ethnic heritage of the Afrikaner, British, Indian, Malay, Korana and Xhosa people.

Griqua settlements today are found in Reheboth, Namibia, and in Kokstad, Philippolis, Griquatown, Campbell, Kranshoek and Ratelgat in South Africa.