Political and economical machinations: a new look at sir George Grey's plans for British Kaffrarian.

Abstract

• Opsomming: In 1855 het Sir George Grey daarin geslaag om 'n onwillige Britse regering te oorreed om 'n jaarlikse bedrag van £40 000 by te dra vir die onderhoud van Brits Kaffraria. Terselfdertyd het hy 'n toekenning van £5 000 van die Kaapse Tesourie aangebied, alhoewel hierdie aanbod nooit voor die nuut gevormde parlement gedien het nie. Hierdie referaat ondersoek hoe Grey dit kon regkry, asook die bron van die Kaap se klaarblyklike vrygewigheid.

• Summary: Sir George Grey, once the idol of South African historians, has become the object of reproach in recent revisionist studies. The change in attitude has mostly to do with a historiographical shift, from a focus that was once centred predominantly on the White ruling elite to one that concentrates more on the effects of colonialism on the indigenous populations of southern Africa. Early historians like John Rutherford praised Grey for the apparent progress of his administration. Revisionist historians like Jeff Peires, on the other hand, revile the Governor for his attitude towards the African peoples which they believe was somehow instrumental in causing such things as the Cattle Killing episode within British Kaffraria and in the trans-Keian territory.