1.

‘The South African war was initially a “White Man’s War” but black South Africans
participated on both the British and Boer sides’
Do you agree? Support your argument by explaining the role played by black
South Africans in the South African War. [50]
2. Critically discuss the role and experiences of black South Africans in the South
African War. [50]
3. To what extent did black South Africans participate in the South African war
between 1899 to 1902. [50]
4. ‘Black South Africans participated in the South African war mainly for
non combatant roles but were later involved in actual battles assisting both
the British and the Boer sides’
In the light of the above statement critically discuss the experience of Black
Africans in the South African War between 1899 to 1902. [50]

To a greater extent Black South Africans played an important role in the South
African war. They assisted both the Boer and the British troops in a number of duties
and suffered many loses in the process. The war had far-reaching effects on their
economic and social livelihood, hence the war impacted negatively on Black South
Africans.

The South African War emerged as a result of the conflict that began between the
Boers and the British as a result of the discovery of minerals in the Orange Free State
and Transvaal. When the Dutch speaking farmers left the cape in the mid the 1830s,
they moved to the interior of South Africa and established their independent (Boer)
republics but after minerals such as diamonds and gold were discovered, the British
laid claim to ‘their’ land. The Boers resented this and this led to second ‘white man’
war between the two groups. In the process the Boers conscripted their black servants
into their army where they were given crucial roles of carriers, spies, trench diggers,
cooks and scouts.

Black South Africans participated in the war on both sides, of which the
British paid them a wage for their participation. This encouraged them to join because
poverty had increased ever since the war had started. Also because many blacks
believed that they were fighting for freedom since in the Boer republics blacks were
denied their rights and could not vote. In the beginning of the war, blacks were not
allowed to carry weapons. They therefore were used for a number of duties on the
British side such as labourers, servants, stretcher-bearers, attendants for horses, road
meanders and intelligence scouts. Africans also helped to round up livestock of Boer
families and to destroy Boer farms for the British, helped in transportation of Boer
woman to concentration camps. When General Kitchener assumed command of the
British army in 1900, he decided to give guns to blacks after hearing that the Boers
would execute any African employed by the British. Approximately 30 000 blacks were
given weapons. This highlights the important role played by Black South Africans in
the South African war.
On the side of the Boers, blacks were also given non-combat roles but compared to
the British, they were not paid. Many joined because they were servants of the Boers
and others were enrolled for army service compulsory, therefore had no choice. Blacks
would dig trenches, drive wagons and scout. In a few occasions they were allowed by
the Boers to carry weapons too. Many farmers took labourers out on commando duties
with them as agterryers. They would look after and guard horses, fetch water, build
fires and often did cooking. Sometimes agterryers (after-riders) would desert (run
away) their Boer employer and join the British. It is estimated that at least about 15
000 blacks fought on the Boers side. This was an indication of the role played by black
South Africans in the South African war.

Towards the end of South African War, the British adopted the Scorched Earth Policy,
where they burnt farms, destroy crops and kill livestock to force the Boers to surrender.
This affected black families as well, some became refugees while many were taken
into concentration camps. As much as over 115 000 were placed in the Black
concentration camps. The camps were poorly cared for, and diseases spread quickly.
It is estimated that approximately 14000 Africans died of chicken pox, measles and
dysentery in the concentration camps most of the victims were children. This was
because of overcrowding, polluted water, shortage of wood, inadequate medical
facilities and insufficient food. This highlights the painful experiences suffered by black
South African during the South African War.

The scorched earth campaign did not spare black South Africans either. They had
their homesteads torched, crops destroyed and livestock either stolen by British
soldiers or Boers guerrillas. In the end most became destitutes and taken to
concentration camps where conditions were very harsh resulting in many dying in the
camps. Blacks were not given tents like Boers women and children, they had to build
their own shelters, and the food rations were either little or nothing was given to them.
This again serves as evidence of black South Africans experiences in the war.

The end of the war saw the “white men” making amends in their differences, forming
a union that excluded blacks despite their participation in the “white men” war. The
Union of South Africa not only segregated blacks but marked the initial stage of black
suffering during apartheid. The franchise further extended the argon experienced by
black South Africans during the war.

In conclusion Black South Africans played an important role in the South African War
and yet experienced huge loses that negatively impacted on their livelihoods. They
lost homes, crops, livestock and most importantly their lives were shuttered
completely. Black South Africans participated in the war greatly though they were
never compensated or appreciated. Instead they went through worst experiences that
left footprints that are still felt even today.