Performance by Lireko Qhobela, AVReQ PhD candidate, at De Groote Kerk.

AVReQ staff and students joined members from the De Groote Kerk to watch the play of “Krotoa: Eva van de Kaap” at the Artscape Theatre House. The event followed by a discussion was presented by the De Groote Kerk in partnership with the AVReQ center from the Stellenbosch University, under the leadership of Professor Pumla Goboda-Madikizela.

The story of Krotoa Eva is very relevant in contemporary South Africa. It brings to the stage a neglected and contested aspect of shared history in a way that is innovative. The work sheds new light on an ancient story. Krotoa, a slave in the house of Van Riebeeck was also as VOC interpreter, translator and mediator between the Khoi population and Dutch Settlers, was baptized by the Cape Church and her remains are still buried on the ground of the Groote Kerk.

Led by a drama therapist from University of Pretoria, the conversation that followed was in reference to the life of Krotoa, the historical and intergenerational trauma and the path to justice and repair. Others attendees included; Sebastian Messerschmidt (Consul General of the Netherlands), Prof Sylvia Vollenhoven (the author), Basil Appollis (the director), members of the Dutch Reformed and De Groote Church, Cape Interfaith Community, South African Women in Dialogue, lecturers and direct descendants of Krotoa.