Die invloed van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog (1899-1902) op die Teologiese Skool Burgersdorp

Abstract

The influence of the Second War of Independence (1899-1902) on the Theological Seminary of Burgersdorp

In this article the reasons for the War are pinpointed as England’s imperialism and the underlying motif of getting hold of the riches and gold of the ZAR. At the outbreak of the War the students and lecturers of the Burgersdorp Theological Seminary, as most Boers in the Cape Colony, had to make a decisive choice: loyalty to the Government of the Cape Colony or to their fellow kinsmen in the North (and thus siding with the latter). Varying facets of the war-torn situation are touched upon in this article: the lecturers were for example accused of treason but acquitted. The outcome of the 30 students’ situation, however, differed. Those students origally from the northern Republics returned home to join their commandos. Some of these students were taken prisoners of war. Most of the Cape students showed their solidarity with their northern compatriots by joining the Ambulance Corps. Three students and two former students eventually died (one was the son of Prof. Lion Cachet). In honour of these students a monument was erected in 1906. Only one student and three former students were rebels, as far as is presently known. At a later stage three students were able to continue their studies in the Netherlands. Two of these, J.D. du Toit and F. Postma, later returned to South Africa and committed their lives to the Theological Seminary at Potchefstroom and the Potchefstroom University for CHE.