History Department at UKZN

Elandskloof, Western Cape 2008
- Great Trek without End -

In 1881 the Dutch Reformed Church acquired land across the Olifants River some 13 km from the farming village “Citrusdal” and established a mission station which became refuge for dispossessed Khoi and former slaves who developed a self-supporting community surrounded by large-scale citrus orchards and vineyards in white ownership.
In 1961 the Dutch Reformed Church sold the land to a white farmer and the inhabitants were evicted and scattered over the Cape Province in search for shelter and future after having been a self-sufficient community for almost a century.
After the first democratic elections in 1994 and with the implementation of the new land reform policy, a new struggle started for the previously evicted Elandskloof people all over to regain their land rights.
In 1996 the people of Elandskloof ultimately succeeded: the children and grandchildren of the previously evicted “Elandsklowers” began the great trek back to their heritage, enjoyed press coverage and prominent political interest for a while.
In 2008 the people of Elandskloof still have inadequate or no access to water; sanitation and road maintenance are lacking. To attend school or earn a living, children and their parents walk or travel long distances to neighbouring towns and farms everyday or seasonally. Old-aged, disabled and unemployed adults and toddlers meet occasional visitors and tourists with sceptical and questioning eyes.

Ben Khumalo-Seegelken
www.benkhumalo-seegelken.de
Elandskloof, 09.10.2008