Qonce, July 2023 – Staying true to its mission of preserving heritage through Arts & Culture, Ivanya Yethu Heritage Foundation has now in its archives the ‘Report from the Select Committee on Aborigines (British Settlements)’ together with the Minutes of Evidence, appendix and index.
The book was ordered by The House of Commons, to be printed on 5th August 1836. “THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to consider what measures ought to be adopted with respect to the Native Inhabitants of Countries where British Settlements are made, and to the Neighbouring Tribes, in order to secure to them the due observance of Justice and the protection of their Rights; to promote the spread of Civilization among them, and to lead them to a peaceful and voluntary reception of the Christian Religion…”
This One Hundred and Eighty Seven years old book contains minutes to meetings and commissions by the Select Committee. The Select Committee was of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and consisted of 16 members with Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a member of Parliament, brewer, and slavery abolitionist, as the chair of the committee.
The members of the committee consisted of colonial officials, religious figures, Traditional leaders, respected settlers and colonial officials. All these different officials were selected to aid in; promoting the reception of Christian religion in a peaceful manner and encouraging the spread of civilisation with emphasis on attempts at remedifying some of the atrocities displayed to its colonies’ Natives. Andrew Brink describes it as “ a movement which has been seen as the highpoint of the evangelical movement and the humanitarian liberal ideology of the 1820s and 1830s”. (Crafting a story about an African interpreter on colonial South Africa’s eastern Frontier: Roger Levine’s narrative of the life of Jan Tzatzoe)
This book has become a very vital addition and a great contribution to the Foundation’s mission of preserving heritage through the promotion of literature and Art and Culture. Here are words captured verbatim of local leaders of the time such as one of the first generation converts, interpreter and Chief Dyani Tshatshu (1791 – 1868) whom in history books is often cited as Jan Tzatzoe/ Tsatsu, as well as fellow traveller of Hottentot / Khoi descendant Andries Stoffels (1770s – 1837). The trip was led by missionaries John Phillip, James Read Sr and James Read Jr.
“Considering the fact that many of our heroes’ songs remain unsung, this book provides great insight on the life lived by these heroes during colonial times. What is interesting about this book is the headspace of the heroes of the times since it is minutes to meetings sat by the select committee. Therefore, through reading the book, we have since discovered the true or real voice of my great-ancestor, Chief of AmaNtinde Dyani Tshatshu – whose contribution to the ‘enlightenment’ of our people through literature and religious scriptures – is featured in the book as a contributor and an advocate of indigenous people and how they lived under the British” said Buntu Duku, co-founder and Creative Director of Ivanya Yethu Heritage Foundation.
Recently being tasked with the duty to research and report on the heritage in the Amathole region under the National Heritage Council PESP, Samatha Collett, co-founder and Operations Director of Ivanya Yethu Heritage Foundation said “the Foundation’s headquarters is located at Kwa-Tshatshu in Qonce. Therefore it only made sense that we procure the book and have it here at the land of Chief Tshatshu whose story in history remains very much untold. With our current research project ‘AmaThole Heritage Route Revival’, this book is one of many treasures that give insight into the reality of our ancestors’ time in the present day Amathole and wider Eastern Cape. Used for the benefit of everyone including communities we work with.”
Access to the book by interested parties including researchers and scholars will be announced in due course.
ENDS
Issued by: Ivanya Yethu Heritage Foundation.
Enquiries : Samantha Collett
Cell :+27 66 221 8124
Email. : samantha@ivanyayethu.org
