Die burgerlike lewe in Potchefstroom ten tye van die Eerste Vryheidsoorlog

Abstract

The civilian life in Potchefstroom during the First Boer War. Potchefstroom which was established in 1838 by Hendrik Potgieter, played an important role in the history of the South-African Republic. The outbreak of the First Boer War in December 1880, is only one of the important events that occurred at Potchefstroom. At the time of the War Potchefstroom was a progressive and an important commercial agency in the Transvaal. This essay is an attempt to introduce the civilian life in Potchefstroom during the war, to the reader. In other words, it is an attempt to describe the economical-, social- and administrative conditions in the town and how they were influenced by the war. Little information is known about t h e subject of study as most works about the First Boer War have military activities as a theme. However, interesting material was obtained out of archival and published works and by means of these, the civilian life in Potchefstroom could be described. Potchefstroom was at 1880 an established town with approximately 2500 inhabitants, including Afrikaners , English, Dutch, Blacks and other foreigners . The Afrikaners were mainly the boers while the English were the businessmen. The Blacks were limited to a location outside the town and were mainly labourers. Potchefstrooms favourable position on the way to the gold and diamond fields brought along prosperity to the economy of the town. The market-square was daily characterised by trade activities and housed a number of businesses, shops and workshops. The town also played an important role in the social life of the Transvaal. A number of schools, churches, banks and hotels were situated in Potchefstroom and the religion and education was based on a healthy understanding which resulted in intellectual development among the inhabitants. The civilian administration was during the war temporary replaced by military administration which controlled the economical and social life in Potchefstroom for nearly three months.