Mushroom valley-onderstandskamp.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die afbrand van plase en die vernietiging van eiendom gedurende die Tweede Anglo-Boereoorlog het talle boere en veral bywoners sonder heenkome gelaat. Om die konsentrasiekampe te sluit en rantsoenering te staak, is die Relief Works Department in Julie 1902 in die lewe geroep. Met die bou van besproeiingsdamme op regeringsplase is werkgeleentheid geskep waar verarmde Afrikaners 'n vasgestelde loon kon verdien. Een van hierdie onderstandskemas, naamlik Mushroom Valley in die Winburg-distrik, word in meer besonderhede behandel deur aandag te gee aan die lewens- en werksomstandighede, huisvesting, onderwysfasiliteite en kerklike bearbeiding. Die onverwagte beëindiging van die onderstandswerke en die oordrag van die gedeeltelik voltooide skema aan die landnedersettingsraad het tot gevolg gehad dat 'relief works' 'n verdere twispunt tussen die Afrikaners en die koloniale owerheid geword het.

• Summary: Farm burning and the destruction of property during the Second Anglo-Boer War left many farmers destitute, especially the 'bywoners' or squatters. In July 1902 the Relief Works Department was constituted to provide employment for indigent burghers and to assist in the closing of the concentration camps. The relief works consisted mainly of the building of irrigation dams on government farms, enabling poor whites-to earn a wage. Mushroom Valley relief camp in the Winburg district is discussed in more detail, with regard to the working and living conditions, housing, educational facilities and the ministration of the church. The abrupt cessation of the relief works and the transfer of the partially-completed irrigation schemes to the Land Settlement Department became a matter of contention between the Afrikaners and the colonial government.