Dr Bruce Damons, Director of Engagement at the University, as guest of the Griqua Nation, attended the South African Navy’s official commissioning ceremony of the Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel (MMIPV) P1593 as SAS King Adam Kok III on 25 April 2025.
This historic event honoured the legacy of King Adam Kok III, the last sovereign leader of the Griqua Nation, who tragically passed away in 1875 at Kok’s Hill near Rietvlei while journeying from Umzimkulu to Kokstad.
The Griqua Nation, a sovereign entity with its own flag, coat of arms, and anthem, welcomed the naming as a long-overdue act of recognition and a meaningful step toward the restoration of its cultural and political identity. Dr Maurice Vivian Kok, expressed confidence that the full restoration of the Griqua Kingdom and the Kok kingship is approaching.
During the event, Dr Damons also had the opportunity to connect with the Durban Harbour Master, Captain Brynn Adamson, a distinguished maritime leader who hails from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Their meeting highlighted the vital role of local leadership in shaping national and global maritime spaces.
The naming of SAS King Adam Kok III stands not only as a naval milestone but as a powerful affirmation of South Africa’s indigenous histories and the collaborative efforts underway to restore and honour them.