Nama leader backs group self-determination: “our threat is your threat”

by | May 6, 2026

Witbooi Nama tribe, Section 235 South Africa, self-determination rights, AfriForum, MK Party, Mzwanele Manyi, cultural rights South Africa, Nama language, indigenous communities South Africa, Orania debate, constitutional amendment South Africa, minority rights South Africa, traditional leaders South Africa, cultural autonomy, South Africa politics
Witbooi defends cultural rights in South Africa, saying "we don’t mess with black languages, why do they mess with our languages?”

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Captain John Witbooi of the Witbooi-Nama tribe has joined AfriForum in calling on communities and traditional leaders to unite in defence of Section 235 of the Constitution, amid growing debate over its future.

This appeal follows a move by Mr Manyi, a Member of Parliament representing the MK Party, who has given notice of a proposed amendment bill to repeal Section 235. This section of the Constitution recognises the right to self-determination for communities that share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.

AfriForum maintains that Section 235 is consistent with international law and provides a legitimate framework for such communities. The organisation rejects claims that groups such as Orania misuse the provision, calling these arguments a distraction from what it describes as a broader threat to cultural rights.

Witbooi has joined AfriForum in defence of Section 235 stating that minority cultural groups should support one another in defending their heritage.

“Nama comes from the oldest South African language, the Bushman language, and you cannot distort facts that have been documented. You cannot distort history that proves that Nama is one of the oldest languages and has been spoken in South Africa since before 1488,” Witbooi says.

“Afrikaans and Nama are the culture and upbringing languages of many tribes. We don’t mess with black languages, why do they mess with our languages?”

“My tribe supports AfriForum’s view. We are a minority group and the groups must support each other. Our threat is your threat and your threat is our threat.”

Independent news and opinion from the Cape of Good Hope for readers who value good old common sense. We focus on what really matters in South Africa.

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