Celebration: The Day South African Aboriginals Defeated the Portuguese Army of De'Almeide

Opinion Piece by Joseph Mentoor

On 1 March 2025, a Fire Healing Dance was held at the Castle of Good Hope for the first time. This event marked a significant milestone in the healing journey of the South African Aboriginal communities.

The Bushman Aboriginal people gathered to perform a healing dance, led by respected healers and wise men from various tribes. The ceremony was intended to address the trauma and pain experienced by the community as a result of the colonial era, apartheid, and ongoing systemic injustices.

The first fire in nearly 400 years was lit for healing at the Castle. This event represents a significant moment for the community, highlighting aspects of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of justice.

The Battle of Salt River:

The battle of 1 March 1510 was a military engagement between the crew of a Portuguese fleet led by Francisco de Almeida and the Aboriginals of Southern Africa, notable for being the first military encounter between Europeans and Aboriginal people in what would later become South Africa. The battle resulted in a massacre of Portuguese forces and a victory for the ǃUriǁʼaekua.

"In 1510 a party of Portuguese sailors tried to steal a head of livestock after refusing to hand over the price for it to the Khoe barterers. They were quickly chased off and when they returned to their ships, they called on the Commander, the greatest military officer in Europe at the time, d’Almeida, to launch an attack the following day to teach the Khoe a lesson.

d’Almeida led 150 men including his senior captains in an attack on the village the following day where they seized cattle, women and children before retreating. But the Khoe numbering around 170 pursued the Portuguese in a running battle using only stones and spears and a herd of cattle as a form of cavalry that surrounded the Portuguese and put them to flight. They ended up at the sandy beach along the sea and estuary which was about 200 meters from Bromwell Street in Salt River across the railway line, in those days. There a final battle ensued on the Salt River beach and d’Almeida and his army were defeated and all killed as the boats that were supposed to take them back to the ships had gone further down the beach to take on fresh water from the Camissa River.

By standing together and consciously resisting -  that decisive battle had the result of postponing European colonization at the Cape for over 140 years. Even though having poorer war technology, the standing together and commitment to resist, defeated the world’s most powerful army."

The contributions of the individuals involved in making this event possible are recognized. Their efforts to support cultural heritage and community well-being are noteworthy.

This victory is attributed to the collective efforts of the community. As this achievement is acknowledged, it is important to recognize that the process of healing is ongoing. Continued efforts are necessary to address the trauma and pain of the past while striving towards a more equitable future.

Let us keep the fire of healing burning bright!