The farm Ratelgat which was previously known as Luiperdskop, is located on the
West Coast of
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
. The farm has a very strong connection to the
Griqua people
The Griquas (; af, Griekwa, often confused with ''!Orana'', which is written as ''Korana'' or ''Koranna'') are a subgroup of heterogeneous former Khoe-speaking nations in Southern Africa with a unique origin in the early history of the Cap ...
as it is the site where Griqua prophet Andrew Abraham Stockenstrom le Fleur I (Die Kneg) is buried.
There is an annual pilgrimage to Ratelgat undertaken by
Griqua people
The Griquas (; af, Griekwa, often confused with ''!Orana'', which is written as ''Korana'' or ''Koranna'') are a subgroup of heterogeneous former Khoe-speaking nations in Southern Africa with a unique origin in the early history of the Cap ...
in May, ending with the celebration of Ratelgat Day.
Ratelgat Day
Ratelgat Day is organised every year by the Griqua National Council (GNC) to give thanks for the long life of the late Paramount Chief AAS le Fleur II and to remember the sacrifices he made for his people. For the Griqua it is also a day to give thanks for God’s promises to bless the Griqua and to pray for the fulfillment of the prophesies of AAS le Fleur I (Die Kneg).
Provincial Heritage Site
The site has been declared a provincial heritage site by
Heritage Western Cape
Heritage Western Cape (HWC) is a provincial heritage resources authority established by the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport of the government of the Western Cape province in South Africa. It is a public entity set up under the terms of ...
on the 12 of May 2012. The site was given special recognition by HWC because of the inspiring role that Die Kneg had played to bring the Griqua community together. the declaration of this site is part of Heritage Western Cape’s drive to highlight important heritage sites that are significant to the Griqua and Khoesan inhabitants of the Western Cape. Ratelgat became the first heritage site in the Western Cape to display the new badge of Heritage Western Cape. The new badge replaces those of the old National Monuments Council which appears on provincial heritage sites and national monuments around the province.
The provincial heritage site was declared in terms of Section 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act.
[Province of the Western Cape Provincial Gazette, No. 6902, Cape Town: 26 August 2012, p.1723] This gives the site Grade II status and provides the site with protection under South African heritage law.
Historical_Monument_Badge_South_Africa.jpg, Badge used in South Africa from 1934–1969 to mark what are now Provincial Heritage Sites
National Monument Badge, Roberg PHS.jpg, Badge used in South Africa from 1969–2000 to mark what are now Provincial Heritage Sites
Provincial Heritage Site Badge, Saron Church.jpg, Badge used in the Western Cape since 2012 to replace earlier markers designating Provincial Heritage Sites
References and External links
Heritage Western Cape
References
{{authority control
Ethnic groups in South Africa
Cape Colony people
Dutch diaspora in Africa
Afrikaner diaspora