AfriForum and gaob Witbooi hand over Afrikaans educational materials to Hoërskool Carnarvon
AfriForum and gaob (captain) John Cornelius !Kham-aob Witbooi recently handed over learning aids, including various subject posters in Afrikaans, to Hoërskool Carnarvon, which were received by the deputy principal, David Jason. The donation follows a visit by AfriForum to gaob Witbooi and Carnarvon, which focused on possible sustainable cooperation between the Witbooi-Nama tribe of South Africa and AfriForum. A follow-up visit is already being planned during which contributions will be made to the other schools in Carnarvon, and those in Vosburg and Vanwyksvlei.
“The purpose of the discussions and visit to Carnarvon was to develop an understanding of the challenges facing Carnarvon, the Kareeberg Local Municipality and also the Witbooi-Nama Tribe of South Africa at large and to determine how we can potentially work together at grassroots level for the mutual benefit of our respective cultural communities. We are facing major challenges, service delivery has reached a low point and unemployment and poverty are increasing continuously. I look forward to the results that will come from the collaboration and appreciate the humanity and respect with which we were able to interact with each other,” says gaob John Cornelius !Kham-aob Witbooi, gaob of the Witbooi-Nama Tribe of South Africa.
“There are many interests shared by different cultural communities within the country. The proper recognition of cultural communities is one of them, and the Nama family tribes and their leaders are also affected by it. The long process of their recognition hinders leaders’ practical ability to serve their communities and lead as they wish. It is a privilege for AfriForum to embark on this path of mutual recognition and cooperation with the Witbooi-Nama tribe of South Africa,” says Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum.
“Our immediate focus is to formalise mutual recognition and cooperation and to determine which joint projects we can undertake at grassroots level that can contribute to securing a future for the children of our communities. Lasting good relations and cooperation between different cultural communities, based on mutual recognition and respect, are essential for the fulfilling survival of everyone in the country. The best way to establish this is not just to talk, but to do, that is what we focus on,” says Bernard Pieters, Southern Regional Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum.
Discussions about possible collaboration between AfriForum and the Witbooi Nama Tribe of South Africa began during the annual Afrikaner Nama Family Tribe Festival in October 2025 in Glencairn in the Western Cape where Gaob Witbooi was introduced to AfriForum by gaob Karl Jeremias Afrikaner, gaob of the Afrikaner Nama Family Tribe in South Africa. The members of the various Nama family tribes of southern Africa are mostly resident in Namibia and South Africa. Gaob Witbooi also takes the lead in organising the annual Nama Festival in Carnarvon.
This statement is also available in Nama.
