Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the Exhibit of Finissage for South African Iziko Museums Exhibit
“Who were the enslaved? Commemorating lives under enslavement at the Cape of Good Hope
25 April 2024
[As Delivered]
?
Your Excellency, Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa,
?Your Excellency, Yoka Brandt, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
?Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming,
?Chef de Cabinet for the Secretary-General, Courtenay Rattray,
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
We gather this evening to explore and appreciate more about a sensitive chapter in our history – one that is often overshadowed by the larger narrative of the transatlantic slave trade and the existence of chattel slavery; yet the essence is the same, namely, the apparent human instinct to subjugate.
Let me therefore take this opportunity to thank the organizers for creating this revelatory exhibition – shedding light on this important topic; and for moreover their dedication to deepening our understanding of our past.
While millions of enslaved Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas, another significant – yet less known – journey of enslavement was taking place at the very tip of Africa, at the Cape of Good Hope.
For two full centuries, the Dutch East India Company forcibly captured and deported over 70,000 men, women, and children from Southeast Asia to Cape Town.
These individuals suffered immense injustice and unimaginable hardships under the harsh overlordship of their captors and masters.
Unlike in the Americas where most slaves originated from West Africa, those brought to the Cape came from India, Indonesia, East Africa, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
Upon arrival, they were stripped of their identities – often renamed after the month they arrived or their country of origin; and, more alarmingly, reduced to commodities.
In fact, many of Cape Town’s slave descendants remain unaware of the origins of their names – reflecting a disconnect from their rich yet painful heritage.
Excellencies,
The significance of understanding the identities and forbearers of these people, who were – what kind of work they did, and how they managed to survive in a hostile foreign and violent environment – cannot be overstated.
Befittingly so, this exhibition aims to answer these questions and more.
It seeks to oblige us to reflect on some of these untold stories – honoring the courage, resistance, and resilience of these enslaved people and their profound but unacknowledged contributions to humanity.
This powerful exhibit does not only recount past atrocities – it transforms the site of human wrongs into one of human rights.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
As I close, let me share with you that – just two days ago – I had the privilege of delivering a special address at the New School’s Institute of Race, Power and Political Economy, where I delved deeper into the enduring legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and emphasized the critical need for reparatory justice.
Understanding these histories through discussions like today’s exhibition event is crucial – as they not only deepen our appreciation of our shared past, but also teaches us valuable lessons about avoiding the commission of certain acts and behaviors in the future.
By bringing these harrowing histories into our collective consciousness, we give form and voice to the unseen and voiceless – and ensure that the faces and names at the Cape of Good Hope are remembered, not as mere objects, but as vital contributors to our cultural diversity.
Let us carry forward the knowledge and insights from this exhibition, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the complex and often painful tapestry of our complex human heritage.
Let this process of learning and reflection be another crucial step towards acknowledgement and redress – never forgetting the hard lessons of our pasts and respecting the sacrifices of our antecedents.
I thank you.