Fort Donald and the Abalondolozi regiment.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Uit inligting wat eers onlangs aan die lig gekom het, was dit moontlik om vas te stel wanneer en onder watter omstandighede Fort Donald op die Pondoland-Griekwaland-Oos-grens deur Donald Strachan en lede van die Abalondolozi-regiment opgerig is. Besonderhede omtrent die totstandkoming, samestelling en aktiwiteite gedurende die Basoeto-oorlog van hierdie veelrassige vrywilligerkorps wat in 1880 as ʼn Britse eenheid geproklameer is, kon ook opgespoor word. Strachan, 'n Niemandslandse pionier voor die koms van Adam Kok en sy Griekwas in 1863, was magistraat vir die Griekwas en van 1874 af vir die Kaapse administrasie. Hy was onder meer verantwoordelik vir die verdediging van sy distrik in tye van beroering. Wanneer die koloniale en imperiale troepe elders diens moes doen, was dit die taak van die Abalondolozi om die gebied te verdedig. Hulle (net soos Strachan self) het egter min vergoeding vir hulle dienste ontvang. Hierdie versuim van owerheidswee is die oorsaak van die blywende ontevredenheid onder hierdie voortreflike Swart troepe en hulle mense.

• Summary: Newly available sources of information have made it possible to establish the exact date and circumstances of the building of Fort Donald on the Pondoland-East Griqualand border, by Donald Strachan and members of the Abalondolozi regiment. Particulars about the formation, composition and services of this multi-racial volunteer corps, formally gazetted as a British unit in 1880, during the Basuto war, have also been traced. Strachan, a pioneer in Nomansland before the arrival there of Adam Kok and his Griquas in 1863, served as a magistrate both under the Griqua government, and the Cape administration from 1874. Part of his duties entailed the defence of his district in times of unrest. When colonial and imperial troops were engaged elsewhere, the Abalondolozi constituted the chief element in the defence of East Griqualand. Yet their service, (like those of Strachan himself) were but scantily rewarded. This neglect has resulted in lasting resentment among these outstanding Black troops and their people.