Written by Courtney Drysdale

This month’s Channels for Change edition invites you to dive into a thought-provoking book while being curled up in a nook with a cup of piping hot tea. This compelling work takes you on a journey through the history and environmental struggles of the Kowie River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, shedding light on the destructive forces of settler capitalism and their lasting impact on the local community.  Not only that, but it also highlights those who are working to make things right. Gain a deeper understanding of social and environmental justice while immersing yourself in the powerful narrative of this precious river's past and present.

June’s binge – Writing the Ancestral River by Jacklyn Cock

“My story of the Kowie River acknowledges how the ravages of the past continue to flow through the present.”

Brief Summary 

Writing the Ancestral River by Jacklyn Cock, published in 2018, explores the history and environmental degradation of the Kowie River in South Africa, as well as its impact on the local community, particularly the amaXhosa people. 

The book highlights three key temporal moments: the battle of Grahamstown in 1819, the development of the Port Alfred harbour from the 1820s to the 1870s, and the construction of the Port Alfred Marina in 1989. Each of these instances reveals the destructive consequences of human intervention and the exploitation of natural resources.

The author emphasises the significance of the Kowie River in Xhosa cosmology, where it is regarded as spiritually important and considered a place of communion with ancestors and river spirits. However, the river's degradation and the privatisation of land have resulted in limited access to sacred sites and disintegration of the natural environment, something which a select group of individuals (including the author) are pushing back against in the present.

Available at: the official University of Witwatersrand shop, online stores like Loot and academic resources like Jstor. 

The Sustainability Factor

Overall: 5/5

Writing the Ancestral River sheds light on the historical and ongoing oppression faced by the amaXhosa people, who have been dispossessed of their land and subjected to poverty and material deprivation. Cock highlights the detrimental effects of development driven by settler capitalism, which perpetuates social inequalities and denies marginalised communities access to sacred sites and resources. The book underscores the importance of social justice, calling for a more equitable distribution of resources and recognition of indigenous rights.

In terms of the economy, Cock explores the consequences of exploitative practices and short-term profit-seeking. The development of the Port Alfred harbour and marina, driven by a few individuals' pursuit of personal fortune, has led to the degradation of the Kowie River ecosystem. This showcases the pitfalls of an economic model that prioritises individual gain at the expense of sustainable resource management. The book emphasises the need for a more inclusive and sustainable economy that considers long-term environmental impacts and the well-being of local communities, as well as the current pushback against such a destructive approach. 

The environmental dimension of the discourse in Writing the Ancestral River is central to the narrative. Cock vividly illustrates the degradation of the Kowie River, highlighting the loss of wetlands, pollution, and the disruption of natural processes. The book serves as a call to action, advocating for the protection and restoration of ecosystems, particularly estuaries, and the conservation of indigenous knowledge related to the river. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human actions and the environment, urging readers to recognise the importance of environmental stewardship and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.

Through its comprehensive sustainability discourse, Writing the Ancestral River challenges readers to consider the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of our actions and encourages a more holistic and responsible approach to our relationship with the natural world.

The Viatu Review  

Writing the Ancestral River by Jacklyn Cock is a captivating exploration of history, environmental degradation, and social justice. The book serves as a reminder of the need for social and environmental justice, emphasising the interconnectedness of human actions and their consequences on ecosystems and marginalised communities. We love how the work leads readers on an enlightening and transformative journey through the intricate layers of history and ecology in South Africa.

Themes

Through the story of the Kowie River, Cock explores themes of environmental degradation, racial oppression, and the ongoing impact of the past on the present. The plot weaves together the author's personal connection to the Kowie River with the larger narrative of colonial development and its impact on the indigenous amaXhosa people. The theme of sustainability resonates throughout, highlighting the interconnectedness of a people and the place they call home.

Production 

Jacklyn Cock is a renowned South African scholar and environmental activist. Having spent much of her life tracing the origins – physically and metaphorically – of the Kowie and her family's involvement in disrupting its flow, her book is a poignant and moving love letter to a river that she desperately seeks to protect. 

What Makes it Different 

The author, who has a personal connection to the river through her family's involvement in its development, reflects on the destruction caused by settler capitalism and the continuous assaults on the river's ecosystem. Cock's writing style is evocative, painting vivid pictures of the river's beauty and the destruction it has endured. What sets this book apart is its thought-provoking exploration of how past and present collide, inviting readers to reflect on the lasting legacies of exploitation and the urgent need for change.

Writing the Ancestral River is a remarkable exploration of the intertwined relationships between history, environment, and social justice. Through vivid storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, Cock delves into the devastating consequences of colonial development on the Kowie River and the indigenous amaXhosa people. This powerful book zooms in on one of the wildest areas of the Eastern Cape and by doing so, serves as a reminder of the need for sustainability and the importance of confronting our collective past to shape a more equitable and ecologically balanced future. 

At Viatu, we adore all things wild and are equally passionate about doing our part to help protect them and those, great and small, that call it home. Hop over to our Instagram, or check out our comprehensive approach to sustainability to find out more about how we use travel as a transformative tool for good.