Contree: 1978 No 4

Contents

No. 4, July 1978

Articles

• Die sogenaamde verowerde gebied: omstrede grensstreek tussen die Oranje-Vrystaat en Lesotho (Basoetoland). / Eloff, CC
• The origin of towns in the Eastern Cape Midlands. / Myburgh, DW
• West Street Durban 1977 (2) / Ferreira, P

Editorial

The regional historian is naturally more interested in the social, economic and local administrative factors determining the history of a region than in national politics. The present and past politics of a nation, however, can be of great interest to the regional historian who wants to know how national and provincial' boundaries came into being. The history of South Africa has already produced a number of interesting boundary disputes, and with such problems the world over it is seldom possible to find a permanent solution to them.

The border dispute between the Orange Free State and Lesotho has been the source of trouble for many decades. Three frontier wars, the disappearance of the Orange Free State as an independent country, the independence of Lesotho and of the Republic of South Africa have not removed the irritation. The problem is best understood when the ignorance about this disputed boundary and the so-called Conquered Territory which it encircles becomes clear. Even people reputedly well informed, show a surprising lack of comprehension about this.

The editorial staff hopes that the article on the Conquered Territory published in this issue will lead to a better understanding of the intricate situation.

Redaksioneel

Die streekhistorikus is noodwendig baie meer geïnteresseerd in die sosiale, ekonomiese en plaaslike administratiewe faktore wat die geskiedenis van 'n streek bepaal as in nasionale politieke aangeleenthede. Die nasionale politiek van die verlede en die hede kan egter vir die streekhistorikus wat belang stel in die totstandkoming van nasionale en provinsiale grense, belangrike stof bied. Die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika het reeds talle interessante grensvraagstukke opgelewer, maar soos dit met grensvraagstukke oor die hele wêreld been die geval is, was oplossings in min gevalle blywend.

Die grens tussen die Oranje-Vrystaat en Lesotho is reeds vir baie dekades 'n bron van onenigheid. Drie grensoorloë, die verdwyning van die Oranje-Vrystaat as onafhanklike staat en die onafhanklikwording van Lesotho en die Republiek van Suid-Afrika het niks aan die onderliggende probleem verander nie. Dit is te verstane as die onkunde in ag geneem word wat omtrent hierdie grens en die sogenaamde Verowerde Gebied wat dit omsluit, bestaan ook by diegene wat ten nouste met die vraagstuk gemoeid is.

Die redaksie vertrou dat die artikel oor die Verowerde Gebied wat 'n groot deel van hierdie uitgawe in beslag neem, sal bydra om 'n bietjie lig op hierdie moeilike onderwerp te kry.