The Northern Cape Provincial Government mourns the passing on of King Josiah Katz , who was the leader of the Korana

We are saddened by the death of a leader in society, who played a significant role in the promotion and preservation of the Korona people in South Africa.

Chief Josiah Katz became involved in Khoisan politics and in 2007 he spoke at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 6th Session, in New York where he made known to the world the plight of the Korana people.

King Katz was a member of the delegation who ensured that the remains of Saatjie Baartman are repatriated back to South Africa and was also a pall bearer at her reburial.

On the 18 May 2017 be was bestowed as the King of the Korana by the African Christian Union.

His father was Hendrick Kats (Junior), a Korana by descent and his mother was Margaret (also known as Mamties) Bitterbos, a San woman. He is the second eldest son of three siblings, two brothers and one sister. His schooling started at the age of nine years old and spanned over three years. At age twelve he started working at Vaalbos Swart as a digger on the mines. In 1968 at the age of twenty six years he married Joyce Abrahams. From this union they have four children two daughters and two sons of which one sadly passed away in 2010. He is the grandfather of 9 (nine) grandchildren and great grandfather of one child.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Katz family, colleagues and friends for their loss “We are so sorry for your loss, we will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time”.

The MEC for Sport Arts and Culture Ms Desery Fienies will be visiting the Katz family to convey her deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of a leader who fought for the well being and aspirations of the Korana people

Date       :10 March 2021
Time       :17h00
Address  : 05 Mosley Street
                 Verwoerd Park
                 Kimberley

Issued by: Conrad Fortune
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Department
Northern Cape
Tell: 053 8314152
Cell: 079 873 0679