The people of Dokodweni in KwaZulu-Natal are thriving and living peacefully on their ancestral land after rejecting a R40-billion Dubai megacity project.
The development plan would have forced them to leave their homes and move their ancestors’ graves.
In 2008, the late Inkosi Khayelihle Mathaba led a massive protest on the N2 highway to fight the project.
The Dubai investors, with support from the provincial government, wanted to build a luxury city along the coast, but this meant displacing the community and relocating their loved ones’ graves.
Current leader, Inkosi Thulani Mathaba, told Scrolla.Africa they welcome investors, but will not allow anyone to remove them or disturb their ancestors’ graves.
“The Dubai investors wanted to remove us from our ancestral land without respecting our culture and beliefs. We won’t allow that. Investors are welcome, but they must approach us properly and respect our heritage,” said Mathaba.
In 2008, the community was told that their ancestors’ graves would be moved to one shared grave, and their homes relocated.
The provincial government had approved the deal under then-premier Sbu Ndebele and MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu.
But, after massive protests by the community, the deal was scrapped.
Today, the Macambini community still lives on their ancestral land and enjoy beautiful sea views without paying rates.
The land is under the Ingonyama Trust, and many community members have built large homes and are successfully farming sugarcane on the fertile land.
Pictured above: Inkosi Thulani Mathaba of the Macambini community led the resistance against the R40-billion Dubai development.
Source: Celani Sikhakhane
