A legal challenge led by descendants of South Africa’s earliest inhabitants, the Khoi and San groups, seeks to halt the construction of Amazon’s new headquarters on 70,000 square metres of sacred land.
Historically, the San and Khoi peoples were the first inhabitants of South Africa. Unlike the former, who lived as hunters and gatherers for more than ten thousand years, the latter joined them as pastoralists more than 2,000 years ago.
There are some Khoi and San who welcome the prospect of jobs created by the 4 billion rand ($259.03 million) development near Cape Town, which includes hotels, retail offices and homes, as well as Amazon — which has data hubs in the city.
The project has been criticized by Khoi and San leaders who say they represent the majority of their people.
A lawsuit has been filed against the project developer, the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Province, and a group of Khoi and San who support the project. The case is expected to last three days.
Located at the confluence of two rivers, the Black River and the Liesbeek, the site is of spiritual importance to both groups.
This will also block their view of Lion’s Head, a sacred mountain in the Khoi tradition.
Yet with a third of South Africans unemployed, authorities are keen to encourage foreign investment.
A spokesperson for the developer Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust said Wednesday that the majority of the First People of South Africa support the development.
“The redevelopment will bring enormous benefit to the people of Cape Town,” Tannanberger said. “It is unfortunate that a small group of individuals appear hell bent on blocking (it).”
Many of the Khoi and San tribes were displaced from much of South Africa, first by Black settlers from central Africa and then by white colonialists from Europe, against whom they fought to defend what remained of their enclaves.
On the spot now being disputed, the Khoi and San defeated a Portuguese raiding expedition in one such battle half a millennium ago. The site remains a symbol of resistance.
