A significant milestone in the history of South Africa is almost upon us. Reflecting back and looking forward to marking the 200-year arrival in the Eastern Cape of the ‪1820 British‬ Settlers.

Politically-charged, potentially divisive but, if embraced, opportunity-laden. Many at sixes-and-sevens how to commemorate the event. It was not an “event” like a moon-landing but rather a process of settlement. 4,000 British Settlers sailed from various ports in Mother England. Save for the Abeona (ship lost at sea, some survivors) most arrived in Algoa Bay between April and June 1820. Some of my ancestors were on the Weymouth and landed 15 May 1820. The voyage (3 months at sea) couldn’t have been much fun and the exhausted immigrants were settled on land around Bathurst, on The Frontier.

Yes, it was done to them, properly, by the British Government of the day. The Settlers were, by and large, a pretty miserable lot. The habit of most folks that have nothing but the clothes on their backs. They came here because Britain experienced major unemployment after the Napoleonic Wars. They were strong, hard-working men and women. Most were NOT farmers. My ancestor, William Banks, was a basket-maker.

Some Settlers became outstanding stockmen and farmers. Few stayed on the land. Resilience required to toil the soil of hardship that is the rough, vast country of the Eastern Cape. Most moved to burgeoning rural towns. Grahamstown is the second-oldest (once second-biggest) city in South Africa. The Settlers made their daily bread as traders, journalists, scoundrels and business executives. Even a few intellectuals and masters of the law. Another ancestor, Samuel Hayward, choked to death on some food at an eating house in Fort Beaufort. Apparently, “whilst in liquor”.

Fast forward 200 years. The Eastern Cape is now one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. Produced some of the finest minds, leaders and capitalists the world has seen but most folks that actually live here have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Let’s call a spade a spade. The people that have nothing today are mostly black people. Their ancestors had everything 200 years ago. This land was theirs and it was dispossessed. Took the British Empire roughly 100 years to do it, but, do it they did. I don’t wish to over-romanticise the lush pastures and antelope-rich thickets of pre-colonialism Xhosaland, but the cattle were plentiful, the culture stable and people productive. Occasional battles between clans but more akin to an inter-schools rugby derby rather than mass slaughter. The initial battles were fought by Dutch (Boer) cattle farmers but 6 out of 9 Frontier Wars were orchestrated and conducted by the mighty British Army and their various allies, including the ‪1820 British‬ Settlers.

The Frontier Wars / Wars of Dispossession were, as the story-teller / historian Alan Weyer puts it, a hundred years of war interspersed with some peace. The battles were ferocious. 1000 – 2000 amaXhosa warriors died at the Battle of Grahamstown / Egazini in 1819. The theft of 23,000 cattle by Colonel Brereton precipitated that blood-bath. The amaXhosa chiefs (Ndhlambe, Maqoma, Makhanda etc) were strategically, tactically and politically smart, but spears no match for canons. Savage in the extreme. Both Maqoma and Makhanda died on Robben Island. King Hintsa was murdered by Harry Smith and co in 1835. Read Graeme College educated Noel Mostert’s elaborate and thorough history of the Eastern Cape, “Frontiers: The Epic of South Africa’s creation and the tragedy of the Xhosa people”. It’ll take you while. A brick of a book but well-researched and beautifully written.

Returning to my 1820 reflections. I’ve been asked the question (and asked it of others), “what is the appropriate manner to commemorate the 1820 Settlers in 2020?” Some Settler families, in order to sidestep the political sting, will simply hold clan gatherings to mark 200 years of family in South Africa. I’m told a team of oxen are in training for a commemorative ox-wagon trek from PE to Grahamstown. Evenings of orchestral music are planned for Grahamstown and PE. Church services at The Cathedral and Commem. After-all, Methodism sailed on those ships too.

Whatever is done should be in the spirit of remembrance, reconciliation and seizing the inclusive-growth, economic opportunity. I like the idea of an inclusive sports festival. Perhaps the UK government could deviate from the madness of Brexit and send a delegation. Another respected friend proposes a symbolic “giving back the cattle” ceremony. The re-imagining (and associated name change) of the 1820 Settlers Monument is similarly an inspired effort at reconciliation, and more importantly, economic growth by attracting tourists and conference delegates to a Monument to All Ancestors. And that’s the ticket. The past is the past. We should acknowledge, remember, and learn from it. The Settlers (and their descendants) have influenced South Africa greatly. Positively and negatively. Depends on perspective. The clock can’t be rewound. History is just that. His-Story. A story of fact, fiction and politics. It’s time to move forward together.

The preamble to our constitution wraps it beautifully, “We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.”

Let’s grasp and embrace the 1820 opportunity, Interested in varied views, polite perspectives and constructive suggestions.

The process is being shepherded by Rhodes Business School and the Action Network (I like the framework) has been split into 7 Clusters. Includes the vital hygiene factors and the visionary, employment-generating projects. Makhanda as a Special Education Zone and the Tourism opportunity feature, as does Marketing/PR of our city. The latter crucial. We need a platform to ensure broad communication reach and positive messaging to change the narrative of our city.

Unfortunately I have a prior commitment in Jhb so unable to be at the feedback session. To those attending, thank you and best wishes for a constructive day. The future prosperity of all in Makhanda very much tied to this groundbreaking, fully-inclusive initiative.

A diversity of multi-sectoral civil society stakeholders including faith organisations, businesses, unemployed people, schools, rate-payers, youth and cultural organisations, met at Rhodes University on 30 July in an “unprecedented show of unity” to reflect on the challenges facing the city.

City Mayor, Mr Mzukisi Mpahlwa, who also attended the gathering, gave an unscripted address followed by questions and comments from the stakeholder groups.

Speakers on a packed programme reflected the diversity of the stakeholder groups in attendance. They included Rhodes University Vice Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Mr Ayanda Kota of Unemployed Peoples Movement, Professor Harry Dugmore of the Grahamstown Foundation, businessmen Mr Mpumelelo Ncwadi and Mr Phenyo Nonqane-Lekoma, Reverend Dumile Monakali of the Grahamstown East Ministers’ Fraternal and Mr Richard Gaybba, Chair of the Grahamstown Business Forum.

Reverend Canon Dr Vicentia Kgabe, Rector of the College of Transfiguration, and the Director of the Rhodes University Business School, Professor Owen Skae, facilitated the day-long discussion. Use of an online platform, Menti, allowed participants to comment on or query each individual speaker anonymously in real-time.

“What unites us is far more important that what divides us. We are here today to reflect openly, honestly and constructively about our shared challenges. What brings us together here today is our commitment to the future of our beautiful little city,” Dr Mabizela said as he opened the gathering.

Cape Town-based businessman, Mr Mpumelelo Ncwadi, urged participants to “commit to ceasing certain patterns of unhelpful behaviours, as this tends to be easier than starting new habits. If people don’t think we can make a better future for Makhanda, then they should step aside and let those who are able and willing do it”.

In his ‘consensus-building’ approach, Mr Ncwadi reminded participants that consensus did not mean agreement on everything. “It means that you can live with the resolution that is presented. If we are going to do co-creation, we’ve got to build consensus.”

Mr Phenyo Nonqane-Lekoma, a Rhodes University Alumnus and Managing Director of PIMC Development Communication & Research, based his talk on an article he wrote about Makhanda, This city needs a real plan.

Mr Nonqane-Lekoma referred to a basic urban development implementation model as a possible solution to reach the city’s goals, and he suggested that these stakeholder engagements be formalised and that regular open forums be held.

Mr Gaybba applauded the efforts to stabilise the socio-economic situation in Makhanda. “We are in a much better position today than what we were in at the same time in 2018. Yes, at times things aren’t ideal, but this is still a great place to work, to live, to play and to co-exist.”

He referred to the Mayor, the Municipal Manager (MM) and the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as ‘the three wise men’. Makana Municipality’s CFO, he said, is one of only 18 municipal CFOs to have received a clean audit from the Auditor-General in the last financial year.

“What strikes me about these three individuals is their humanness, willingness to engage and their lack of excuses and blaming of others,” he said. “And I don’t think in my time, we’ve ever had that before.”

Mr Mpahlwa started his speech by professing his confidence in the city’s stakeholders. “Since my return as Mayor last year, I’ve been contemplating putting together a Mayoral Advisory Council. However, I am reviewing this in favour of a broad-based stakeholder consultative forum.”

Mr Mpahlwa gave a very candid report of the municipality’s finances. “We are practically bankrupt,” he said.

He explained that of the R473 million generated by the municipality, it spends R471 million annually, which leaves very little for maintenance.

“Although R138 million is owed to service suppliers by the municipality, the municipality is owed a total of R492 million.” he explained. “And the biggest culprits are the residents.”

If the municipality was to be paid the R492 million it is owed, it would be able to pay off its service supplier debt and still have R354 million to spend on services. “This is why I am saying everyone has a role to play,” he said.

He explained to the stakeholders that the biggest issue halting Makhanda’s development was not water, but sewage infrastructure. “I am told Rhodes University has land that will allow them to double their numbers, but they can’t because of the sewage infrastructure problem. Same goes for the housing developments plans,” he said.

“It is true, we have very competent people in our current administration. All of the senior positions have been filled, except for the one of infrastructure, but we are going to fill that position very soon.”

Professor Harry Dugmore said he believed that Makhanda could offer “many revenue and job-creation opportunities if we can position it as a tourism and creativity hotspot”.

One of the main landmarks he highlighted was the 1820s Settlers Monument, which he believed could be turned into an even more valuable asset as a museum and conference centre that could embody the shared histories of the people of Makhanda, in a similar vein to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

Reverend Dumile Monakali emphasised the necessity to engage in skill building for unemployed youth. He brought to light the growing problem of public nuisance, which is a result of unemployment and the many unregulated liquor stores and taverns cropping up in the town. He suggested academics and non-academics come together to create a technical college to inspire the disadvantaged youths of Makhanda.

Mr Ayanda Kota shared his belief that the positive changes seen around Makhanda are because of the people and not the government or municipality. “We cannot run away from the fact that there is disappointing leadership in this city,” he said. In order to turn over a new leaf, said Mr Kota, we need to stand together as “solidarity is key to the people of Makhanda”.

“Today each one of you showed tremendous commitment. By our mere presence here today, we have all made a powerful statement. We have taken upon ourselves a huge responsibility. I am grateful that we have taken that critical first step of this long and arduous journey together,” concluded Luzuko Jacobs, Director of Communications and Advancement at Rhodes University.

Short interviews with each of the speakers can be viewed here.

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT DIVISION ON BEHALF OF RHODES UNIVERSITY

Further interesting fact about Harry. His Great Grandfather Dugmore translated the bible to the IsiXhosa.

Mayor Msukisi Mpahiwa came across open and transparent. Sincere and mindful. A bit like the chairman of the golf club reporting to members after an horrendous year of slow, inconsistent, fungi-infected greens. He’s addressing the situation and next year will be much better. He is a politician and, like my good friend Ayanda Kota (his speech was excellent), I’m more than a little vexed by the performance of politicians across the world. But I was captivated by Mayor Msukusi. He’s rolled up his sleeves and taking action. Acutely aware of the challenges and impact (on many) of the Makana Municipality but also our collective performance.

It was a great day. Much goodwill and laying the foundations of trust. I look forward with confidence to the post-Imbizo process. Prof Owen Skae and his team at the Rhodes Business School are playing a central role in marshalling the process. Effective communication and cohesion required in formulating a vision, strategy and plan acceptable to all. Major themes were our potential as a (bigger) centre of education excellence and ramping up our credentials as a centre for creative industries.

Importantly we can all play a role. All those who hold Grahamstown / Makhanda dear and wish to see us flourish. We hold the future in our hands. All of us. In this time of national and international uncertainty and turmoil, our thoughts, words and deeds are paramount. Crucial that we promote a positive narrative about our present state and future potential. Everything that is great about living, working and studying in Grahamstown / Makhanda. Let’s promote the best of Grahamstown / Makhanda and work constructively to overcome our challenges.

Happy International Beer Day to you all. Support local. Drink Featherstone Brewery!