· Amazon’s Headquarters project near Cape Town was welcomed by many South Africans.
· With rising unemployment among the youth, authorities have been keen to encourage foreign investment with its scope for development and job creation.
The $259.03 million development project, including a hotel, retail offices, and homes, and with the potential of jobs for thousands in Amazon has faced backlash from San and Khoi the indigenous peoples of South Africa.
Amazon’s Headquarters project near Cape Town was welcomed by many South Africans. With rising unemployment among the youth, authorities have been keen to encourage foreign investment with its scope for development and job creation.
The $259.03 million development project, including a hotel, retail offices, and homes, and with the potential of jobs for thousands in Amazon has faced backlash from San and Khoi the indigenous peoples of South Africa. Groups representing the Khoi and San community, have gone to court to try to halt the construction of Amazon’s new 70,000-square meter Africa headquarters on what they claim as heritage and sacred land.
The location offers one of the best views of the city’s iconic mountains. It has historical relevance too. According to local history, in 1510, the area also witnessed the first battle between indigenous people and Europeans in the region when a group of Khoi successfully fought back against Portuguese forces. The conflict is recorded as one of the earliest liberation and resistance struggles by indigenous communities in South Africa.
The site for construction lies at the junction of two rivers, the Black River and the Liesbeek, sacred to both groups. It will also block their view of the equally sacred Lion’s Head mountain, as reported by a Khoi traditional group opposed to the project. Civic groups, environmental experts, and indigenous communities argue the land holds both ecological and cultural significance and should be protected as a heritage property for future generations.
The petitioners have sought legal action against the project developer Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust, the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Province and other supporters for the project.
