Episode 274 - The Pretoria Convention ends the First Anglo-Boer War, Suzerainty Unresolved
About this episode
This episode discusses the aftermath of the First Anglo-Boer War, focusing on the events surrounding the Pretoria Convention and the impact of the battle of Majuba.
The hill of Doves — in isiZulu amaJuba means the place of many doves or pigeons. It became a place of violence and blood, and yet the catastrophic defeat of the British at Majuba was indeed to lead to peace. The doves would fly again albeit fleetingly. As you heard last episode, British commander General George Colley had been one of the casualties of the battle — Sir Evelyn Wood was now in charge of the empire’s army in the Transvaal. Or to be more accurate, in Natal attempting to enter the Transvaal. Colley was buried at Mount Prospect — the British base below Laings Nek in sight of Majuba — letters of condolence were sent to his wife Lady Colley by the Town councils of Pietermaritzburg and Durban .. and also by the Transvaal Boer Leaders. Colley had asked that his body should be allowed to remain where he fell on the battlefield, and so it was. His wife would have to travel to the Transvaal border to see where he lay. A state of war existed, the Boers continued to besiege all British garrisons in the Transvaal in early 1881. More about that in a moment. The Summer rains were falling, drenching the landscape like the blood of Majuba, and both sides sought peace. Boer emissaries…
More episodes of History of South Africa podcast
- Episode 278 - The South African Suez Canal, Stellaland and Goshen and James Honey's Murder Most Foul
- Episode 277 - Cetshwayo visits Queen Victoria and the Victorian link between Afghanistan and Zululand
- Episode 276 — Okavango Khwebe Wind and a Dorsland Trekker Angolan Odyssey
- Episode 275 — Pilgrims Rest, French Bob’s Gold and Barberton’s Champagne Foot Baths
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the History of South Africa podcast podcast page.