Director of Krotoa, Eva van de Kaap Basil Appollis, Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux and writer of the play, Sylvia Vollenhoven.
A discussion around the story of Krotoa highlighted the untold stories of the Khoi people that were lost in history, and the lack of interest from the youth to find out more about where they come from.
The discussion was held at the Innovation Room at the Artscape on Saturday February 3, and was focused on the role of the arts as a way of fast-tracking the changes needed to redress historic injustice, and how the story of Krotoa helps people define the terms of restorative justice.
The event was also held to mark Black History Month, celebrated in February around the world.
the VOC merchant commander who established a refreshment station at the Cape in 1652. She plays Krotoa, the young Khoi girl taken into van Riebeeck’s household who went on to become a key negotiator and translator between the Dutch and the local people at a very young age. She was also the first Khoi woman to be baptised and the first to officially marry a European. The production puts Krotoa in the centre of her own story, and is a perspective-changing tribute to a neglected and contested aspect of shared history.
Marlene le Roux, the CEO of the Artscape, said putting together the production was a spiritual and emotional journey for the people involved.
High commissioner of the Gorinhaicona Traditional Council, Tauriq Jenkins, who is also part of a programme at the University of Cape Town (UCT), which deals with the restoring of justice, said part of the restoration process is a broader conversation about the trauma of the past.
He said that when people speak about Krotoa, they speak of a time humanity lost itself. “Krotoa is the centre of who we are as people. Part of the healing process is understanding all that she had been through. This story is one that all South Africans need to know. If we don’t get to know it, we are robbing ourselves of a large part of our history.
Doctor June Bam-Hutchison of the UCT Centre for African Studies, raised the question on how we decolonise people who’ve been erased from the stories of the past.
“We need to look at the fact that some of these people have died with their stories, and look at the kind of colonial life and the stories about our people – especially the women.
Also part of the discussion was Chief Krotoa Elenor Smith, a member of the First Indigenous Nations of South Africa. She said the untold rituals and history of Khoi people that were taught by grandmothers had been lost.
“Traditional medicines such as dassiepis and buchu are some of the examples of things that are on our doorsteps.
She said the arts were important to highlight parts of the healing process.
The director of Krotoa Eva van de Kaap, Basil Appollis, said it was important that people have the confidence to tell their stories.
little involvement from the youth at these gatherings. She said that the writers and researchers who have the correct networks should push such content and productions into schools and make it accessible for the youth so that they are aware of where they come from. The discussion was wrapped up with a song and dedication to Krotoa by Courtney’s mother, Amanda Lois Stone, a Khoisan singer and poet.
Krotoa, Eva van de Kaap, was written by writer, film-maker and journalist Sylvia Vollenhoven. The story sheds new light on an ancient narrative, and contends that the story has not ended.The music for the production is by South African Frazer Barry and Jef Hofmeister, from the Volksoperahuis in The Netherlands.
Krotoa, Eva van de Kaap is at the Artscape Arena from today, Thursday February 7 until Saturday February 16, from Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm and on Saturdays at 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets cost R100. Book through Computicket or 021 421 7695.
Frazer Barry gave the audience a taste of the music presented in Krotoa, Eva van de Kaap.
Courtney Lemmert highlights the lack of involvement of youth at historic discussions and events.