Escape from British Rule: The Boer Exodus from the Cape Colony, 1836, by Robin Binckes

Escape from British Rule: The Boer Exodus from the Cape Colony, 1836, by Robin Binckes. 30 Degrees South Publishers (Pty) Ltd. and Helion Company Ltd. Pinetown, South Africa and West Midlands, England 2014. ISBN 9781920143688 / ISBN 978-1-920143-68-8 South Africa. ISBN 9781908916280 / ISBN 978-1-908916-28-0 United Kingdom

Escape from British Rule: The Boer Exodus from the Cape Colony, 1836, by Robin Binckes, who takes the reader on a blockbuster voyage of one of South Africa's most epic and heroic historical adventures. A superbly researched and beautifully told story of religious fervour, violent confrontation, disaster, hope, despair, bravery, defeat and victory.

Robin Binckes  

Chapter 4: Reaching the land of the Xhosa

Simon van der Stel — establishment of law and order — exploring the interior — Stavenisse — land of the Xhosa — Rolihlahla

Nearly three decades had passed since the arrival of the first Dutch settlers and the Khoikhoi were reluctantly beginning to accept the inevitable: these foreigners would not be leaving the Cape. Consequently, some Khoikhoi moved into the interior, away from the Europeans and the lands upon which they were encroaching. These first Khoikhoi 'trekkers' were members of the Gorachouqua and the Goringhaiqua tribes and the new band looked to a man called Kora for leadership. Chief Kora directed them east, until they finally settled on a high plateau above the Orange River. There, his people were joined by band after band of Khoikhoi refugees from the peninsula, until the Koraqua, or Korana, group grew to such an extent that it presented a real threat to any who crossed its path—and to the many whose paths it crossed deliberately. The Vrije Zee carrying the Cape's new commander, Simon van der Stel, and his four sons cast anchor in Table Bay on 12 October 1679.202 As he stepped ashore, a sergeant ordered the militia to present arms, which they did, smartly smacking the butts of their rifles with a resounding crack. Several of the men then fired a volley of salute and the cannon was also discharged. Disembarking two days before his fortieth birthday, Van der Stel immediately made a good impression on the citizens of the Cape. He was witty, intelligent, good-natured and polite and although a small man, he had a big personality that was complemented by a cheerful face, a twinkle in his eye and a wonderful knack for storytelling. In fact, his entertaining storytelling held his audiences spellbound and was enjoyed by many. He was an absolute gentleman and he loved the finer things in life, when he could afford them. He was also generous, the consummate host and patriotic to a fault. In addition, He treasured and admired all things Dutch. His only known Achilles' heel was one shared by many others: he was greedy and wished to amass great personal wealth. Consequently, his arrival ushered in a new era of growth for the Cape and altered the character of the area. Upon arrival, Van Der Stel found a colony comprising 289 Europeans and 191 slaves. It consisted of settlements around the foot of Table Mountain that were clustered around the massive walls of the Castle. Within the Castle, there were residences for government officers, barracks for soldiers and storehouses for food and wine. Outposts had also been established at Saldanha Bay and Hottentots Holland, a cattle station existed at Tygerberg and the seven free burghers were farming on leasehold farms on the neck of the land. The East Coast had been explored as far as the present-day town of George and northward about 80 kilometres beyond the Elephant River. For the first few months of his stay, Van der Stel set about learning all he could about the colony and threw himself into ensuring its profitability and sustainability with great energy and determination. His initial activities focused on developing a beautiful area of the Cape, which he called Stellenbosch, into an agricultural hub. [...]

This is an excerpt from Escape from British Rule: The Boer Exodus from the Cape Colony, 1836, by Robin Binckes.

Title: The Great Trek UNCUT
Subtitle: Escape from British Rule: The Boer Exodus from the Cape Colony, 1836
Author:  Robin Binckes
Genre: South African History
Publisher: 30 Degrees South Publishers (Pty) Ltd. and Helion Company Ltd.
Pinetown, South Africa and West Midlands, England 2014
ISBN 9781920143688 / ISBN 978-1-920143-68-8 South Africa
ISBN 9781908916280 / ISBN 978-1-908916-28-0 United Kingdom
Softcover, 15 x 23 cm, 568 pages, numerous b/w photos and maps