Potchefstroom en die Eerste Vryheidsoorlog 1880-81.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Aanvanklik het die Transvaalse burgers die Britse anneksasie van hul land in April 1877 met gelatenheid aanvaar. Eers meer as drie jaar later het die smeulende verset tot daadwerklike optrede oorgegaan toe die Potchefstromers teen die owerheid in opstand gekom het. Oor die hele Transvaal het die Boere geweier om belasting te betaal, maar dit was op Potchefstroom dat die belastingsverset ʼn hoogtepunt bereik het. Ene P.L. Bezuidenhout se ossewa is deur die owerheid gekonfiskeer, met die doel om dit op ʼn veiling te verkoop om sy belastingskuld te delg. Die Potchefstromers het dit egter voorkom deur die wa met geweld terug te neem. Britse troepeversterkings is inderhaas na Potchefstroom gestuur om die orde te herstel, maar dit was te laat. Op 15 Desember 1880 het Boeremagte Potchefstroom binnegery en die Eerste Proklamasie by die plaaslike drukker laat druk. Boer en Brit het in ʼn skermutseling betrokke geraak en daarmee het die Eerste Vryheidsoorlog begin. Die Britse troepe het bulle in die fort verskans waar bulle spoedig deur die Boere, onder aanvoering van genl. P.A. Cronjé, beleer is. Die beleg het tot 18 Maart 1881 geduur toe die Engelse oorgegee het. Alle Transvalers was nie bereid om die daaropvolgende vredesvoorwaardes te aanvaar nie, maar met die ondertekening van die Pretoria-konvensie in Augustus 1881 is die oorlog finaal beëindig en selfbestuur is aan Transvaal toegeken.

• Summary: At first the Transvaalers seemed to accept the British annexation of their country which took place in April 1877. However, there was an undercurrent of protest which within three years turned into definitive action when the Potchefstroomers clashed with the British authorities. Throughout the Transvaal the Boers had refused to pay taxes but it was in Potchefstroom that the issue culminated in direct conflict. What happened was that the British authorities took possession of a certain P.L. Bezuidenhout's oxwagon which they wanted to auction in an effort to raise the money needed for his outstanding taxes. His friends rallied round him and forcefully recovered the wagon. British troops were despatched to Potchefstroom to restore law and order. But it was too late. On 15 December 1880 armed Afrikaners entered Potchefstroom to have the First Proclamation of the restored republican government printed by a local printer. Shots were exchanged between Boer and Briton; this marked the start of the First Anglo-Boer War. The British troops had to defend the local garrison from incessant attack by the Boers under the command of Gen. P.A. Cronjé. The siege ended on 18 March 1881 when the British hoisted the white flag. Many Transvaalers were reluctant to accept the peace terms, but with the Pretoria convention of August 1881 hostilities were formally ended when self-government was restored.