The Netherlands government last week decided to financially compensate former slaves with a budget of €200 million (R3.5 billion).
The Dutch East India Company brought slaves from Indonesia in 1700AD to the former Dutch colony in the Cape to work as labourers in the vineyards. The Indonesians living in South Africa are referred to as Malays and also have a right to apply for financial restitution.
The South African government should also invite the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima to South Africa. They could come with a trade delegation with experts in the electricity sector and water management. They could assist our country with helping solve the load-shedding problem.
Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander are popular in India. Queen Maxima helps ladies to develop business skills in Asia and Africa. About three months ago, the president of India abd his wife paid a well received official visit to the Netherlands.
We should develop stronger ties with the Netherlands because they have the expertise and skills which we need desperately. We cannot rewrite history, but we can learn from the past. Netherlanders have a great interest in South Africa. Let us build comradeship and stronger ties with the Netherlands and its business community.
* Dr Sears Appalsamy, Breda Netherlands.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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