New Boer republic
Sir,—The article on the Voortrekkers (June 12) rehashes old fiction. Piet Retief’s expedition was to trick the Zulu king, Dingaan, into signing over his lands. They were welcomed at the royal kraal, both sides leaving their weapons at a distance. When Dingaan realised what was wanted .(a sort of Waitangi treaty), the meeting broke up and the Boers ran for their guns, but the Zulus got to their assegais first. Approaching the Boers’ laager under truce to discuss the disposal of the bodies, Dingaan’s emissaries were fired upon, precipitating the massacre of the
remaining Voortrekkers. The sacred revenge was a slaughter of thousands of Zulus — huge firearms resources against spears — sealing the "covenant” with God. Delagoa Bay is “north of Durban,” but in Mozambique. The port of Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) — Portuguese since 1503 — was always available to the Boer republics, Rhodesia and modern South Africa. —Yours, etc.,
VARIAN J. WILSON. June 12, 1986.
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Press, 18 June 1986, Page 18
Word Count
157New Boer republic Press, 18 June 1986, Page 18
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