|
WARFARE IN CENTRAL S.A.
A grim and moving history of violence, heroism and
reconciliation
The unique
geographical position and landscapes of
the Vredefort Dome have placed this
region at the heart of SA’s tumultuous
history for centuries. The history that
unfolds through the story of past
battles and peace settlements is
as dramatic as that of Northern
KwaZulu-Natal (traditionally the focus
of battlefield tours in South Africa) -
and probably more varied. War,
rebellion, revolution and racial
conflict have characterised the region -
yet also peace negotiations,
reconciliation and restitution.
The
heartbeat of Gauteng depends entirely on
the
Vaal River, which feeds the farms,
mines and industries of the surrounding
areas. Without the Dome crater event -
which preserved the gold in the ground -
and without the river, there would be no
SA economic giant today. The amazing
tapestry of peoples, ideologies and
issues make for an unfolding tale of
conflict, settlement and co-operation
that is woven into the fabric of modern
South Africa.
 BLAST! will
explain the origins of conflict and
accompany you to
the terrains where battles were fought.
We have identified battlefields from
the Voortrekker / Matabele period and
the two Boer Wars of 1880 and 1899-1902.
In addition, there are sites from
the 1914 Rebellion and rightwing
revolts, Sharpeville and the Struggle
against apartheid. As recently as 2002,
rightwingers allegedly hatched plans to
blow up the Vaal Dam and start a white
revolution.
Because
it lies centrally within South Africa,
and is well-watered, rich in
agriculture, and wealthy beyond measure
thanks to gold and other minerals, the
Dome has been a crucible of conflict for
many centuries. The convergence of the
Vaal River, the Witwatersrand gold
fields, and the financial capital of
Africa in Johannesburg, has ensured that
this area would be hotly contested
politically, economically and
militarily.
But even
before written history began there was
probably friction between the Bushmen
occupants and Khoi herders arriving from
the north to occupied the land. Later,
the arrival of Bantu-speaking migrants
from Central Africa brought further
struggles over land and resources,
including inter-tribal wars. Finally,
from the south, came colonial
outlaws, missionaries, trekkers,
traders, miners and capitalists,
accelerating the pace of change and
inevitably spawning further wars.
Our extraordinary past combines war,
revolution, peacemaking and
reconciliation involving world famous
personalities as well as little known
individuals and societies. See where
events happened and learn about the
personalities, the technologies and the
outcomes of key historical moments,
including:
prehistoric
conflict and co-operation between
Bushmen, Khoi and Bantu tribes
-
the
“Cat Queen” MaNtatisi and her
refugee army
-
the
Difaqane (”the crushing”): a period
of extreme suffering
-
the
arrivals of Mzilikazi and then
Voortrekkers - wars and alliances
-
the
diamond- and gold-rush eras and
conflicts over land and minerals
-
the two
Anglo Boer wars (1880 and 1889-1902)
-
the
Rebellion of 1914
-
the
Rand Revolt of 1922
-
Trade
unions struggles of the 1930s-90s
-
The
Ossewa Brandwag and rightwing
radicalism, 1930s-present
-
The
anti-apartheid era, Sharpeville 1960
-
The
Soweto Uprising 1976 and its
aftermath
-
Guerilla attacks on Sasolburg oil
plant
-
Post-apartheid rightwing insurgency
At
Otters Haunt we have devoted several
years to researching tour routes around
the battlefields of this unique area.
There are many marked and unmarked
battlefields, which it would take weeks
to see in detail. We can show you what
there is and help you to plan your
routes.
Contact us to discuss your
interests. |
I'm
a writer of popular science and technology books and
articles, a former Professor of Communication whose
hobby is now "backyard astronomy" with history thrown
in! I'm a keen mountain-biker and kayaker, so the
Dome and Vaal River are my playground.
I'm
a former teacher who has worked with Graeme on many
aspects of science & local history research, and I have
got to know the Dome by preparing the maps and data used
in our various presentations. My passions are mountain
running and education. I manage Otters' Haunt.