GRIQUA ROYAL HOUSE SUBMISSION ON SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT BILL 22 August 2012 Presented By: W.R.S Peterson (Royal Chief)

INTRODUCTION Honourable Chairperson and members of the Standing Committee, allow me the opportunity to convey the warmest greetings from our National Leader, King Adam “HITTAT” Kok (V) living in Camble, Northern Cape. The King wanted me to ensure you that his spirit will be at this presentation today. Its very unfortunate that his health does not allow him to travel such long distances. On behalf of our Royal House we extent our deepest appreciation for the opportunity to make a submission with regard to the Bill.

PROBLEM STATEMENT. We must applaud parliament for your efforts to ensure public participation in the formulation of legislation. However, we are very concern about some processes at local government level which cannot unfold. We acknowledge the fact that we were previously denied the opportunity to raise our concerns and objections. (Land Restitution Act of 1913) As a result, it brought anger and disapproval in the acception of legislation. Chairperson, we are also aware that our inputs should not only focussing on critics, rather addressing possible solutions.

CONTEXT We, the Indigenous are coming from a history whereby our fore parents were brutally abused, exploited and even humiliated by the foreigners coming to our beloved country in the 1400s. Today’s opportunity comes at a time when the Indigenous people going to celebrate heritage day to the effect that we demonstrate our culture and stimulate the debate on the existence of our tribe in a democratic South Africa. It also came at a time after you amended the Indigenous Bill to effectively deal with the challenges of our people.

During our inauguration ceremony 2007, we as the Griqua tribe adopted the motto “ Nothing for us, without us”. We further like parliament to learn and understand our challenges we facing daily. As custodians of all Legislative Acts, you need to correct the perception that citizens are only recipients. Parliament also need to establish whether the people of our country are the masters or clients in the development of Bills SCENARIO

SERIOUS CASE SCENARIO The past taught us too many lessons on the development of an Act which was enforce upon us. The Apartheid Regime never recognised the human factor. A lack of understanding on processes in which our people addresses development and dealt with decisions in our communities. A recipe for failure or disaster is when parliament is not learning, listening and interact with the people in order to develop legislation.

In the event parliament fails to recognised and consult the following documents, we foreseen a disaster in the implementation of regulations and Acts as an International norms and standards: The Constitution The Manila Declaration of 1989 Johannesburg Summit on Sustainability in 2002 United Nation Agenda 21 (1992) Earth Charter Initiative United Nation Millennium Goals (2000) New Biodiversity Act WORST CASE SCENARIO

RECOMMENDATIONS We would like to recommend that parliament consider and gives attention to the following aspects;  Apply Chapter 4: Part A 12 (i) g,h,i,o with outmost seriousness.  Part F 22(i) are very important  Ensure the transparent implementation of Chapter 5: 23(i)(b) and (ii)  Highlight Chapter 5: 24(i) and (c) since our Heritage, Tradition and Customs are Constitutionally protected.  Chapter 5: 25, 26 (5)(a)-(c) and 6 should at all times be maintained and monitored.

We confirm our trust in parliament, especially for your efforts to ensure a public, private & transparent approach. Let us be both Actors for real change in the lives of our people and make sure that they are priority in any decisions that we made. The indigenous people of our country should be treasured and sincerely appreciated because of our rich heritage. Together we can build better communities. CONCLUSION

I THANK YOU