Desmond Latham

Episode 169 of the History of South Africa podcast.

Welcome to the latest blog post from the History of South Africa series. Today, we delve into the intricate history of the Kat River Settlement, exploring its origins, the actions of key figures like Sir Henry Pottinger, and the tragic betrayal of Sandile, a prominent Xhosa chief.

Origins of the Kat River Settlement

The Kat River Settlement emerged in 1829 as a result of tensions on the eastern border of the Cape Colony. Expelled from their lands around the Kat River, the amaXhosa faced displacement. In response, the colonial government decided to settle the area with English settlers, Khoekhoe, and bastaards. Despite initial intentions of equal land distribution, discriminatory practices favored English settlers, leading to disparities among the settlers.

Among the settlers were the Gonaqua Khoe, led by Andries Botha, who played a pivotal role in the settlement’s development. Despite diverse backgrounds, including mixed-race individuals known as ‘Bastaards’, the settlers established a thriving community with diverse linguistic and cultural influences.

Botha had family who lived further east among the amaXhosa, and he applied to Stockenstrom for land for this clan – Stockenstrom agreed and the Botha family received grants along the left bank of the Kat river, near the villages of Balfour, Philipton and Buxton. The village of Buxton lies just west of the town of Hogsback. 

Stockenstrom divided up the sixty square miles or so and allotted the Khoekhoe into five separate locations. In the first, at the confluence of the Kat and Mankanzana rivers, he settled seventy men from the Somerset and Graaf-Reinet districts. They were led by Christiaan Groepe, son of a Khoe woman and a German immigrant, formerly field cornet at Zwagershoek in Somerset district. 

What is really fascinating is how many types of people lived in this small area —  people who differentiated themselves based on their ancestry. The party at the confluence of the Kat and Mankanzana Rivers for example belonged to that class of mixed race South Africans known to the colonists as ‘Bastaards’, who had adopted Dutch clothing, religion, technology and language, and did not associate themselves with their Khoi heritage.

Among them were a few converts to the Wesleyan Society and they had more than half a dozen wagons, a large number of cows and oxen, and thousands of head of sheep and goats, as well as horses. They farmed successfully and were regarded as fairly well off. 

In the second and fifth locations Stockenstrom placed one hundred and forty-four families from the mission stations of Theopolis in the Albany district, and Bethelsdorp near Uitenhage.

First arrivals

The first arrivals from Theopolis were led by a man named Valtjin, who brought ploughs to the settlement and was also regarded as an excellent farmer. He also built irrigation systems to water his fields and was respected by both colonists and the Khoe. 

The third location was reserved for a party from Enon in Uitenhage, and the fourth for forty families from various districts. News travels fast, and by 1830 various families of different Khoesan and amaXhosa had arrived to take advantage of the Kat River settlement. One family had travelled for three weeks from across the Orange River they were so excited by the prospect of being allocated their own land. 

The original settlement thus comprised seventy ‘Bastaard’ families, about 230 khoesan families and the Gonaqua Khoi under Andries Botha, whose kinship with the Xhosa set them apart from their coloured brethren. This is where the diversity of ancestry is so important. For the Governor, this was too much information — but for those born and raised on the frontier like Stockenstrom, the differences were noted and taken into account when it came to political machinations.  

The languages you’d hear if you leapt aboard your horse and rode about the Kat River were Dutch/Afrikaans, Khoekhoe, amaXhosa and a mixture of all of the above. The political organization of each location tended to reflect their backgrounds, so the Bethelsdorpers looked for guidance to the L.M.S. missionary James Read, whose wife was a coloured woman, and who had settled at Kat River against the wish of the colonial government.

Challenges and Tensions

Over time, tensions emerged within the settlement, exacerbated by internal conflicts and external pressures. Economic challenges, exacerbated by droughts and fires, strained relations between different groups. The arrival of Thomas Jarvis Biddulph as magistrate brought further turmoil, with discriminatory policies targeting the Khoekhoe inhabitants.

Pottinger’s Role and the Treachery of Sandile’s Arrest

Sir Henry Pottinger, the new Governor, escalated tensions by drafting settlers into military service and imposing oppressive measures. His collaboration with individuals like Henry Calderwood led to the betrayal of chief Sandile kaNgqika. Sandile, seeking peaceful negotiations, was instead deceived and imprisoned, marking a dark chapter in British colonial history.

Legacy and Reflection

The Kat River Settlement’s demise reflects broader issues of colonialism, discrimination, and betrayal. Despite its initial promise as a multiethnic community, it fell victim to greed, prejudice, and imperial ambitions. The treachery of Sandile’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of the injustices inflicted upon indigenous peoples during this period.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the history of the Kat River Settlement, we must confront the complexities of South Africa’s past. It serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacies of colonialism and the resilience of those who fought against oppression. Join us in Episode 170 as we delve further into the consequences of these actions and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.