Acting President Paul Mashatile has honoured Dr Katrina Esau, the last fluent speaker of the critically endangered indigenous N’uu language and one of South Africa’s revered living human treasures.
N’uu is the language of the San people, who were the first hunter-gatherers in southern Africa.
Speaking during the official Heritage Day celebrations event in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, he highlighted the importance of preserving cultural identity while creating opportunities for youth and addressing societal challenges.
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The Acting President emphasised Esau’s importance as she sat in the front row of the marquee, stating that “when a language dies, a universe of meaning, memory, and identity is lost forever.”
He described Esau as one of the country’s living human treasures who are vital to the transmission of heritage, serving as custodians of knowledge, skills, and cultural practices.
“They guide communities, enrich cultural experiences, and educate society on the enduring value of arts and culture,” he said on Wednesday.
He believes that Esau stands as a towering figure, embodying resilience, wisdom, and the unbroken thread of indigenous knowledge.
“Through the wealth of her experience and teachings, we as a nation continue to draw inspiration and strength. Her life’s work reminds us of the urgent responsibility to safeguard our intangible cultural heritage for future generations.”
The Acting President expressed gratitude to Esau for sharing knowledge with young people.
He announced that the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, will support her school, which is located at her home in Rosedale, outside Upington in the Northern Cape.
“With every lesson she imparts to present and future generations, she does far more than transmit words; she safeguards a profound archive of human experience and linguistic heritage.
“Her voice reminds us that when a language dies, a universe of meaning, memory, and identity is lost forever. It is for this reason that the restoration and preservation of our indigenous languages must remain central to our pursuit of restoring the dignity of those whose voices were silenced and whose languages were suppressed.”
He also took the time to pay tribute to the central role played by traditional and Khoisan leaders, Kings and Queens, in the defence of “our beautiful land and the safeguarding of our heritage.”
“Throughout history, they have stood as custodians of culture, identity, and memory, ensuring that the wisdom of our ancestors is preserved and passed on to future generations.”
The Acting President stated that their leadership has not only protected the country’s territories but also promoted the values of unity, dignity, and resilience among its citizens.
“Today, as we chart the path towards a more cohesive and inclusive society, we draw inspiration from their enduring legacy and acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the preservation of our heritage as a whole.
“Some of our Traditional and Khoisan leaders, who fought fearlessly in these wars, were beheaded, their skeletal remains collected as trophies and shipped out of the country to museums across Euro-Western countries.”
He announced that government is actively working to restore dignity through several initiatives, including a national policy for the repatriation of human remains, reburial of Khoisan ancestral remains and identifying international institutions holding sacred human remains. – SAnews.gov.za
