Deputy President David Mabuza is leading the official Heritage Day celebrations in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.
This year’s event honours Griqua leader Adam Kok and the community for fighting against colonial occupation.
A statue of the leader has been unveiled, and the Greater Kokstad Municipality building is set to be renamed after him.
Adam Kok was the founder and chief of East Griqualand.
He led the people of the Griqua nation from their home in the Free State, to found a new nation, Griqualand East, near Kokstad.
Kok considered himself an independent ally of the British, but colonial pressures ultimately led to the annexation of Griqualand.
Kok was loved and respected by his subjects for defending his dynasty and protecting it against colonial invasion.
Meanwhile the Griqua nation has welcomed the recognition of their leader’s contribution to South Africa’s history.
Deputy President David Mabuza is to officiate at the renaming of the Kokstad Municipal Building in Kokstad #HeritageDay pic.twitter.com/JogqZsHuc4
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) September 24, 2018
Watch:Kokstad community proud of their heritage #HeritageDay pic.twitter.com/dJqHGoxV1m
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) September 24, 2018
