Adjunkspeaker, ek is vandag trots om te praat oor die Khoi-en San-gesprekke. Dis 'n geskiedkundige oomblik. Die ANC is trots op die sukses van di dialoog van twee dae, wat onlangs deur omtrent 1 000 Khoi- en San-verteenwoordigers en belanghebbendes in Kimberley in die Noord- Kaap bygewoon is. Di dialoog is die eerste praktiese stap in die uitvoering van President Zuma se aankondiging tydens sy staatsrede vanjaar, dat die regering oorweging skenk aan die heropening van eisprosesse vir diegene wat nie teen 31 Desember 1998 eise ingedien het nie.
President Zuma het ges dat die regering ook oorweeg om uitsonderings ten opsigte van die afsnypunt van 19 Junie 1913 te maak, ten einde voorsiening vir afstammelinge van die Khoi en San se eise aangaande erfenisgebiede en geskiedkundige bakens te maak.
Die ANC glo dat di onlangse gesprekke met die Khoi en die San in Kimberley 'n epiese en geskiedkundige oomblik was. Dit herbevestig die regering se verbintenis om die Khoi-en San-gemeenskappe se belange en behoeftes aan te pak en nasiebou te bevorder. Deelname aan die samesprekings sal tot die Staat se verwerking van die grondeise van afstammelinge van die Khoi en San bydra. Baie dankie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.)
[Ms M N PHALISO (ANC): Deputy Speaker, today I am proud to speak about the Khoi and San discussions. This is a historical moment. The ANC is proud of the success of this two-day dialogue that was recently attended by about 1 000 Khoi and San representatives at Kimberley in the Northern Cape. This dialogue is the first practical step in the execution of President Zuma's announcement during this year's state of the nation address, that the government was considering the reopening of the claim processes for those who had not submitted claims by 31 December 1998.
President Zuma said that the government is also considering exemptions in respect of the cut-off date of 19 June 1913, in order to provide for the claims by descendants of the Khoi and San regarding heritage zones and historical landmarks.
The ANC believes that these recent discussions with the Khoi and San in Kimberley were a historical moment. This reaffirms the government's commitment to address the interests and needs of the Khoi and San communities and promote nation-building. Participation in these discussions will contribute to the government's processing of the land claims by descendants of the Khoi and San. Thank you. [Applause.]]