The Siege of Makapansgat: A Massacre? And a Trekker Victory?

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The Siege of Makapansgat: A Massacre? And a Trekker Victory?
Author:	Naidoo, Jay
Year:	1987
Periodical:	History in Africa
Volume:	14
Pages:	173-187
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Transvaal South Africa
Subjects:	Great Trek history 1854 Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) History and Exploration
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/3171837
Abstract:	In November of 1854 a particularly violent clash between Dutch Farmers and Ndebele tribesmen took place in the Waterberg district of the Transvaal, resulting in a spiral of killings which ultimately - and apparently - led to the massacre of an entire tribe. Two conflicting accounts of the events are analysed and it is examined why the farmer Hermanus Potgieter was killed by Mankopane, chief of the Langa; who killed whom and where the killings took place; and what motivated the killings. During the eventual siege by the Farmers of Makapansgat cave, where the tribesmen had sought refuge, there was perhaps a massacre, but the siege was hardly a Trekker victory. Notes, ref.