Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

54  INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRIC A

Colonial Expansion

The British colonial administration met with hostility from the
Cape’s Dutch-speaking community. Dissatisfied Voor trekkers
(Boer pioneers) headed east and north in an exodus that
became known as the Great Trek. In 1838, Zulu chief Dingane
had one group of Voortrekkers killed, but in the subsequent
Battle of Blood River his own warriors were beaten. A short-
lived Boer republic, Natalia, was annexed by Britain in 1843. Voortrekker Movement
By 1857, two new Boer states, Transvaal and Orange Free 1836 Great Trek
State, landlocked and impoverished but independent, had British territory by 1848
been consolidated north of the Orange and Vaal rivers.

The Great Trek
Emancipated Slaves Dissatisfied with the British administration, the
The freeing of 39,000 Boers trekked inland in convoys of ox wagons to
Cape Colony slaves in seek new territory. The pioneers, armed with
1834 angered Boer cannons and muskets, were accompanied by their
farmers who relied families, black and coloured retainers and
on slave labour. The livestock. Each wagon was “home” for the
British decision was
not due entirely to duration of the journey and contained
philanthropism; it was all that the family owned. At night,
simply cheaper to or under attack, the convoy
employ free labour. would form a laager – a
circle of wagons lashed
together with chains.

Barrels were used
The Battle of Vegkop to store food, water Nongqawuse
In 1836 the Ndebele found themselves in the and gunpowder. In 1857, a Xhosa prophetess predicted
path of trekker expansion northwards. Trad itional Wagon chest that her people would regain their
weapons were no match for blazing rifles. The 40 former power if they des troyed
Voortrekkers beat off an attack by 6,000 Ndebele The drive shaft was attached to all their herds and crops, but
warriors at Vegkop, killing 430, but losing most of the yoke, which was placed the resulting famine further
their own sheep, cattle and trek oxen. around the neck of the oxen. weak ened their position.

1838 Battle of Blood River
follows the murder of Voor-
trekker leader Piet Retief 1846 Seventh
and his group Frontier War (War
of the Axe)
Dingane
1830 1835 1840
1834 Slaves freed, subject to a four-year
“apprenticeship”. Sixth Frontier War erupts; 1836 The Great 1839 Boer Republic of
Voortrekkers travel to present-day Trek begins Natalia is proclaimed
Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern
Province and Namibia

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