The minister of Home Affairs hands over the ID document to !Khūboab Lawrence, the first with special characters, while his mother Lesle Jansen and grandparents John and Mary Jansen look on.
Image: Ian Landsberg
A historic moment unfolded at the Stellenbosch Home Affairs offices on Thursday, marking what many have described as a victory not just for one young man, but for indigenous communities across South Africa.
After an 18-year struggle, the young Khoisan man finally received his South African identity document reflecting his full cultural name including the click consonants central to his heritage.
The breakthrough followed reporting by the Weekend Argus in January, which highlighted the family’s long-standing challenge in having his indigenous name accurately captured on official records. Shortly after the media enquiry, Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, intervened.
Speaking at the handover, Schreiber said, “When I first saw the media enquiry I immediately told my spokesperson we need to fix it immediately.”
He explained that the Department of Home Affairs subsequently updated its system to accommodate special characters used in the Khoisan language.
“This is a case study of something much bigger than just special characters. I therefore invite people, that if there is anything else we missed, come forward. Help us understand indigenous languages.”
Schreiber also referenced the wording on South Africa’s Coat of Arms, written in Khoisan language, underscoring that indigenous identity is embedded in the country’s democratic foundation.
The ceremony was marked by visible emotion as the Minister handed over the ID. His grandparents stood proudly beside him, a moment they said they would treasure forever.
His mother, Lesle Jansen, was overcome with emotion, thanking the Minister for acting on a struggle she said was not only experienced by their family, but by their entire tribe for hundreds of years.
“With us coming into our cultural identity, it affirmed what our cultural identity looks and sounds like. The best legacy we could leave him is his name, so that he can always remember who he is and where he is from. We didn’t search out the most complicated name on purpose, we did it by meaning, and I didn’t think that the clicks and special characters would bring us so much struggle.”
Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber describing the significance of the ID of !Khūboab Lawrence, the first with special characters. Next to Lawrence is his mother Lesle Jansen.
Image: Ian Landsberg
She said for 18 years it was a struggle since they registered his birth, "so to get to this moment where his Identity Document is handed over to him with his original cultural name, his true identity, with all of the clicks included it is a very, very happy moment".
"It’s been a long journey. We see this as a victory for the Khoi Khoi people, that their languages are recognised in our country. Some sort of justice not only for my son but for indigenous people. We want to thank the Minister of Home Affairs as well.”
Fighting back tears, she said, “We are now recognised.”
Holding his new identity document in his hands, Lawrence described the moment as surreal.
“This still feels unreal, to be able to have this and the fact that the system is also changed to recognise our clicks, recognise our identity and to acknowledge it from both. Wow!”
His grandmother, Chief Prophetess Mary Jansen, reflected on the deeper historical symbolism of the moment unfolding in Stellenbosch.
“This is the first area where everything was captured. When Krotoa’s daughter Henrietta married Simon van der Stel, the first governor. So the history of the Khoisan in this area is rich and now this is also happening here. History captured.”
Her words connected the day’s events to centuries of Khoisan presence in the region, framing the ID handover as not merely administrative, but restorative.
The broader significance was echoed by Chief !Garu Zenzile Khoisan, who described the development as an important milestone.
“I am very happy and it is good to hear that the government, at least the Minister and the Ministry, has listened in this particular case and made the necessary changes to the system to ensure that the dignity of those who wish to be called by their indigenous name is respected and integrated. We salute the Minister for taking leadership and personally handing over the identity document to this exceptional young man.”
Khoisan said, “Identity in this context is important. Your name tells the story of who the person asserts as their composite identity the whole person presented to the world. This is a good step, an important development. Let us use this as a way to build the Khoi and San people, and the broader South African nation.”
Thursday’s handover now stands as more than a personal triumph. It is a symbolic turning point a moment where history, identity and recognition converged in a town deeply woven into Khoisan heritage.
What began as one family’s 18-year struggle has become a historic victory one that many hope signals broader recognition, restitution and restoration for indigenous people across South Africa.