Freedom means nothing without land ownership: Traditional Leaders
Over a thousand Xhosa warriors died during the war in Makhanda.
Black News 
Some traditional leaders say freedom will remain meaningless to the country’s citizens if they don’t own the land.
This emerged during the commemoration of the 217th anniversary of the Makana Freedom Festival, popularly known as the Egazini Battlefield, held in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape.
It relates to the war that Xhosa warriors fought against British colonial soldiers for land and sovereignty. Over a thousand Xhosa warriors died during the war in Makhanda.
The Constitutional Governance and Tradition Affairs Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns says, “For as long as land has not been restored to them, their dignity is still hanging without any sense of affirmation. So, the land question becomes very critical because it was on the 6th of April 1652 that the invasion of people of European descent into our shores was marked.”
Meanwhile, Makana Municipal Mayor, Yandiswa Vara, says it is also imperative to honour heroes like Makhanda.
“Whatever we are doing should always remember that we are beneficiaries of those heroes; that includes even the current life we are living. We owe it to Makanda to create an environment that is safe for the people. We owe it to Makanda to ensure that what they fought for, because the aim was to make sure that our people won’t go to bed hungry; they’ll get the land and be able to work the land they own. For as long as land has not been restored to them, their dignity is still hanging without any sense of affirmation, so the land question becomes very critical because it was on the 6th of April 1652 that the invasion of people of European descent into our shores was marked.”
