BUILDING A MATJIESHUT- |HARU OMS, BUILDING A VILLAGE
The practical workshop organised at the Nelson Mandela University School of Architecture by the Indigenous Knowledge Systems of The Built Environment UNIT, in partnership with Chief Jean Burgess, Ghonaqua Peoples and Jason Jacobs as community facilitator, aimed to facilitate the “practice of cultural reappropriation” (Minguzzi 2022, 2025) of Indigenous knowledge that is fading away in most of South Africa.
Both staff and students, along with First Nation leaders and youth based in Mandela Bay and its surroundings, actively participated in the workshop, gaining first-hand experience of Indigenous heritage and knowledge that cannot be found in books.
The Matjieshut was beautifully constructed using indigenous materials and covered with mats. The building process was adherent to safety protocols to ensure that the structure is resistant to weather conditions and provides a safe space for use. It was beautifully constructed, with common patience and cooperation, deep respect for each other, and gratitude for the generosity of the Elders and Knowledge holders from Namaqualand.
Chief Jean Burgess reflecting on the workshop and speaking from inside the Matjieshut said
“It’s so exciting to sit inside the Matjieshut that we completed with the team coming from Namaqua in the last couple of days and that we planned for months together with Prof Magda Minguzzi and Jason Jacobs. This is one of the most ancient structures that our ancestors built. Staff, students from Mandela University, community members, all come together to work hand in hands, with the process of making the matjie, putting the structure together, tight the indigenous branches from indigenous tree, using the reeds that grow in the river. The materials are used as it used to be thousands of years ago. And even more exciting is sharing the indigenous knowledge with those with hands on participated to the workshop. Even more exciting is that staff, students and community has access to this ancient structure, that we called the Matjieshut. Gratitude for the knowledge pass down from our Ancestors, gratitude to the initiative taken by the team and the phenomenon Professor Magda Minguzzi and the Indigenous Knowledge Unit team members. This space was opened with ancient special sacred ceremony, that our ancestors did millennial ago and everyone can access it. Thank you”.
The Matjieshut which stands proudly near the Nelson Mandela University School of Architecture, serve as a space where everyone, regardless of their background, can go to rest, peacefully meditate, and reconnect with traditions and cultural identity.
The project was endorsed by several national First Nation entity and people like the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive, the Northen San Kingdom, The Western Cape First Nation Collective as well as by UNESCO Untwin network on Structural Restoration and Disaster Risk Management of Architectural Heritage.
SOURCES:
Documentary about the workshop:
https://vimeo.com/1130843579?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci#t=0
Student’s video about the workshop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luMJaKQTnlk
Other:
https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/Building-a-Matjieshut-in-celebration-of-Heritage-M
https://news.mandela.ac.za/News/International-experts-emphasise-the-importance-of
FUNDED by: Oxford Brookes University (grant number: EWAP SG2008); Nelson Mandela University
TEAM:
Prof Magda Minguzzi, team leader IKSBEU-NMU, Matjieshut workshop facilitator and organiser.
Gaos Jean Burgess Ghonaqua Peoples, Matjieshut workshop facilitator and organiser.
Jason Jacobs, indigenous storyteller and cultural practitioner, Matjieshut workshop facilitator and organiser.
Hendrik Kriel, Elder/Knowledge Holder, based in Namaqualand.
Ryno Cloete, Knowledge Holder, based in Namaqualand.
Lulu Brandt (the weaver), Knowledge Holder, based in Namaqualand.
Arch. Lucy Vosloo, IKSBEU-NMU, workshop facilitator.
Arch. Kim Harmse, IKSBEU-NMU, workshop facilitator.
Nii Botchway, IKSBEU-NMU, workshop collaborator and graphic designer.
Asekho Kalipa, Esmerelda Ramsey, Bongiswa Mgidi, Nelson Mandela University, Department of Media & Communication.
Jennifer Clark and Godfrey Damons, Horticulture Department.
PARTICIPANTS:
IKSBEU Chiefs part of the initiative: Gaos Margaret Coetzee Inqua People; Gaob Brato Malgas Inqua People (Jansenville); Paramount Chief Gert Cornelius Steenkamp Oeswana People; Chief Wallace Williams Oeswana People; Gaos Anne Williams- Gamtouers Gamktwa People; High Commissioner Samantha Satisfied Chainouqua Klaas Dorha Royal House, Chief Maureen Thompson Chainouqua Klaas Dorha Royal House; King Christopher Tonyane Kalahari San; Chief !Garu Zenzile Khoisan Gorinhaiqua People; King Pietie |Xam People.
AEV200-2025:
Baitlhoi, TG; Cawe, ZL; Chikiwa, TM; De Goede, Cdg; Domingo, TR; Duvenage, JM; Faber, Dlf; Gaxa, S; Gongo, L; Hlabane, K; Hofmeyr, HS; Jansen Van Vuuren, R; Jonathan, JWJ; Kuse, LK; Lekalakala, ML; Lotter, YL; Luutu, E; Mantshiyose, MM; Masemola, L; Mathebula, A; Mgijima, H; Mntuyedwa, L; Mokoena, M; Motsepe, CTM; Muniz, Zw; Ngwane, ESN; Nkadimeng, TM; Nkomo, SL; Phillips, NU; Rantho, MM; Salakuvunyelwa, K; Schutte, CE; Sibelekwana, L; Sibiya, RV; Sikhakhane, O; Stofile , A ; Stone, Gm; Swarbrick, AL; Tewary, S; Tieman, JA; Timothy, JT; Van Bochove, NC; Van Der Berg, A; Van Der Westhuizen, J; Van Eeden, M; Van Rensburg, RVR; Wedderburn, EJ; Whittaker, SE; Wolfe, C; Wolmarans, A.
AEV300-AHAA400-2025:
Basson, LZ; Bekker, C; Chikiwa, TM; Davel, MC; Donaldson, Mc; Dzimba, D; Erasmus, K; Funani, I; Gaxa, S; Grassman, J; Hatane, MS; Hopf, KM; Kriega, J; Kunene, S; Lefatsa, BL; Mantshiyose, MM; Mashishi, TM; Matiyenga, T; Mayisela, Y; Mbovu, N; Mbovu, N; Mda, LO; Mokwatlo, RN; Munna, CA; Naidoo, SN; Nhlapo, N; Nkoe, MN; Nkomo, Sl; Norman, L; Oliver, J; Phillips, J; Pretorius, CP; Prince, L; Scholtz, RS; Scott, JV; Sefoor, FS; Shakoane, HB; Shakoane, MB; Sheasby, KA; Sheik, S; Sichombo, Mc; Sithole, SM; Smith, R; Swanepoel, J; Thulare Oreratile Matshepo;Tshuvi, S; Tumela, LN; Van Eck, T; Venter, D; Vosloo, JM; Blanket,T; Davids, Y; Mmema, TS; Manci, SC; Matlala, LM; Mphaki, MT.
First Nation Leaders during the opening ceremony of the Matjieshut.
The workshop working team. From left standing: Kim Harmse (IKSBEU-NMU workshop facilitator), Johnny Farmer (driver), Lucy Vosloo (IKSBEU-NMU workshop facilitator), Gordon Bottom (Knowledge Holder); Jason Jacobs (Matjieshut workshop facilitator and organiser), Hendrik Kriel, (Elder/Knowledge Holder), Margarietha Ida Cloete (weaver), Chief Jean Burgess (workshop facilitator and organiser), Prof Magda Minguzzi (Team leader of the IKSBE Unit and organisers of the workshop), Nii K. Botchway (IKSBEU-NMU) Graphic Design Coordinator- Arts School. In front: Hendrik T Brandt (Knowledge Holder), Ryno Cloete, (indigenous builder).
Photo of the workshop participants.
Moment of the workshop building activity.