MORE than 200 years after his death, a historic Eastern Cape figure and one of the country's earliest struggle heroes – Khoi chief Dawid Stuurman – may find himself at the centre of yet another struggle, this time over his remains.
Born near the Gamtoos River in 1773, Stuurman, widely recognised as the last rebel Khoi chief to resist colonialism, lived an adventurous life, which included time spent in Bethelsdorp in Port Elizabeth and time as a prisoner on Robben Island, from where he twice escaped.
Stuurman, who has been the subject of books and research, was ultimately deported to Australia where he died in 1830 and where his remains are believed to be.
Last week Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature member and outspoken activist for Khoi and San heritage Christian Martin told The Herald he had taken a vow not to cut or comb his hair until Stuurman's remains have been returned to Bethelsdorp.
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