Visit to Vingerkraal

Hot, red and dusty. We looked at each other and laughed. The dirt road to Vingerkraal was not going to give us any respite. Larry and I were to spend a few days with Theresia, Regina, Christina and Faustimus Maronga. The visit taught us valuable lessons, such as that in any community, however under stress, there can still be dignity, educated conversations and hospitality of the highest level.

Vingerkraal farm is home to a couple of thousand residents, consisting of ex-Koevoet policemen and their families. They are originally from Namibia. Both Larry and I, during our visits, experienced them as a displaced group or a lost tribe, caught between their violent past and an unforgiving and exciled present. The farm is situated about 30km from Bela Bela on the road to Thabazimbi.

Their socio-economic situation is a dire one. They receive small pensions but have been written off by both the Namibian and South African governments, because of their alliance with the S.A. Police Force during the bush war. At present they are living with little water, no electricity and without sanitation. Having said that, we were impressed with the orderly state of living. The Vingerkraal residents have a hierarchy of power, in which the Headman, Lourens, makes the important decisions, such as allocating new stands for houses, etc. Their corrugated iron houses are well tended to and a sense of empathy abounds as widows and orphans are cared for.

Leon Bezuidenhout, co-writer of the book Shadows in the Sand, with Sisingi Kamongo (an ex-Koevoet policeman who was injured during the war), has been making a concerted effort to place the spotlight on the plight of these people. Through their efforts, help on various levels has been elicited.

Just one example: during July 2010, due to alleged illegal fire breaks by neighbouring game lodges, eleven children burned to death and seven other were severely injured. These burn victims need special care but in debilitating circumstances such these as stated above, such care proves to be particularly burdensome. We met Joseph, a sixteen year old with severe scarring to his face, arms and legs. So many ways in which one can be sixteen, I thought as I remembered my own sixteen year old daughter at home, facing a totally different future from the youngster in front of us. We spent a few hours together, listened to Dolly Parton (his favourite music) and laughed at life.

This is a group with varied needs. In the bigger picture, they are in need of jobs and sustainable living conditions, with access to water and electricity. In the interim, their situation is quite desperate, and any clothing, blankets, foodstuff and medicines will be much valued.

Any assistance would be highly appreciated.

The person to contact is Mr Leon Bezuidenhout at 0823260405, or at leon@mboneni.co.za