Central Region Mafikeng

EARLY HISTORY - MAFIKENG - CAPITAL CITY

Early Settlements

The Khoikhoi and the San are division of the Khoisan ethnic group of south-western Africa. These two groups of people who can be placed archaeologically in South Africa about 25,000 BC. They were, like everyone else at that time, hunters and gatherers.

In about 18,000 BC the San-speaking hunter-gatherers, also known as Bushmen (a name now considered derogatory), lived throughout the north west region and the greater sub-continent of southern Africa. They were migratory in nature, moving around their territories in search of game and plant foods. The San people did not herd either sheep or cattle, but kept on hunting and gathering.

The Khoikhoi & the San

The Khoikhoi ("men of men" or Khoi) are closely related to the San (Bushmen).The Khoikhoi, who kept livestock, probably migrated through the north west region about 3,000 years ago. They were once known to Europeans as the Hottentots (a name also now considered derogatory). They did not establish permanent settlements but moved south to the Orange River where they split. One group moved west along the river whilst another migrated to the Eastern Cape.

The Agriculturists

The agriculturists arrived in South Africa from the north from about 300 AD onwards. The lifestyle they brought with them was characterised by crop cultivation, settled village life and metal tools.

These people led a semi-nomadic life but cultivation of crops soon made it necessary for them to stay in the area for longer periods, and more permanent residences were built. They, however, moved every few years once the soil became infertile. Iron was also important to these early farmers as they needed hoes for farming and other tools to cut down trees.Their economy included cattle, sheep and goats and the production of tobacco, sorghum and melons.

The First People linked to Mahikeng

The first residents who can be directly linked to the current people in the Mahikeng area are the Sotho-Tswana. The BaRolong who moved into this area between 1200 and 1350, were descendants of Morolong (one of the founding ancestors of the Tswana lineage). Because of drought in the 17th and 18th century, the kingdom of the Rolong was forced to spread south to Taung and north west through the Kalahari. The capital was moved to Taung in the Bophirima region. In about 1720 the community moved back to this region following the death of their powerful king Tau.

Build up to the Anglo-Boer South African War

During the 1800's there was increased activity in this region by white hunters, traders, prospectors and missionaries. These were the first white people to establish themselves in an area which had been dominated by the Sotho-Tswana people for many centuries ...

More on the Anglo Boer War / South African War

HISTORY

AROUND MAFIKENG

politician, journalist, campaigner for human rights, novelist & translator

He was the first known black person to keep a diary during a protracted war. During the siege of Mafikeng he wrote his 'Boer War Diary' - a valuable historical document, unique in its presentation of an African perspective.

Places linking him to Mafikeng at the time of the siege include his residence, his newspaper office and printing works.

more about Sol Plaatje ...

more about the Boer War ...

NORTH WEST ICONS