Kruger in Lourenço Marques

Kruger in Lourenço Marques (in Engels)
In hierdie deeglik nagevorste pragboek beskryf Cobus (OJO) Ferreira President Kruger se verblyf in Mosambiek gedurende September en Oktober 1900. Sommige skrywers het hulle in die verlede skerp uitgelaat oor hoe sleg die Portugese owerheid Kruger behandel het. In hierdie boek neem Ferreira 'n meer genuanseerde benadering, waarin hy toon dat hoewel die Portugese se optrede beslis nie onberispelik was nie, daar nie sprake van vyandigheid of selfs onverskilligheid was nie. Argivale bronne asook ander publikasies toon die teendeel - daar was duidelik 'n konsekwente en onderliggende simpatie teenoor Kruger en die Boere-saak. As voorbeeld beklemtoon Ferreira die sterk band tussen Kruger en JJ Machado (die voormalige Goewerneur-generaal van Mosambiek), sowel as die Goewerneur van Lourenço Marques (AJ Machado).

Die boek plaas ook die ingewikkelde politieke dinamiek tussen Portugal, die Boererepublieke, Nederland en Engeland in konteks. Die aksies van Gerald Pott (gelyktydig die Konsul-generaal in Lourenço Marques vir Nederland, die ZAR en die OVS) word byvoorbeeld uitgelig. Besondere aandag word ook geskenk aan die invloedryke rolle van die twee Machado-broers (Goewerneur-gnl. JJ en Goewerneur AJ Machado).

Die boek is in drie hoofdele verdeel. Die eerste deel beskryf die aanloop na Kruger se tyd in Lourenço Marques: Die gebeure om die vertrek uit Pretoria, die tydelike regeringsetel in Machadodorp en Nelspruit se rol as oorgang-regeringsetel. Die tweede deel bespreek die treinrit na Lourenço Marques, die rol van die Britse konsulaat in Lourenço Marques, Kruger se verblyf in Goewerneur Machado se woning, en sy vertrek vanaf Mosambiek na Nederland aan boord die Gelderland. In die finale hoofstuk som Ferreira die sleutelgebeure van September-Oktober 1900 op en bied refleksie daarop.

Met meer as 30 historiese foto’s (o.a. verskaf deur die Kruger-museum, die Portugese Nasionale Militêre Argief en die Portugese Maritieme Argief), sowel as 'n omvattende bibliografie en indeks, is hierdie pragboek 'n onontbeerlike bron vir almal wat in hierdie tydperk van Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis belangstel.

Die Inhoudsopgawe en Voorwoord kan hier afglaai word.

Bladsye:   81 (Engels)

Formaat:  Aflaaibare PDF (±6Mb)

Kruger in Lourenço Marques
In this meticulously researched book, Cobus (OJO) Ferreira explores President Paul Kruger’s stay in Mozambique during September and October of 1900. Some authors have in the past often portrayed the Portuguese authorities as having treated Kruger poorly during his time in Lourenço Marques. In this book Ferreira takes a more nuanced approach. Drawing from extensive archival sources and other publications, he shows that while Kruger's treatment was by no means above reproach, the authorities' actions were not the result of hostility or indifference. Instead, the research presented in this book reveals a consistent underlying sympathy toward Kruger and the Boer cause. As an example, Ferreira highlights the strong bond between Kruger and JJ Machado (the erstwhile Governor-general of Mozambique) as well as the Governor of Lourenço Marques (AJ Machado).

The book further contextualises the intricate political dynamics involving Portugal, the Boer republics, the Netherlands, and England. So, for instance, the actions of Gerald Pott (simultaneously the Consul-general in Lourenço Marques of the Netherlands, the ZAR and the OFS) are highlighted. Particular attention is also paid to the influential roles of the 2 Machado brothers – JJ Machado (Governor-gnl.) and AJ Machado (Governor).

The book is divided into three main sections. The first part delves into Kruger’s journey to Lourenço Marques, covering key events such as his departure from Pretoria, the temporary seat of government at Machadodorp, and Nelspruit’s role as a transitional seat. The second section follows his train journey to Lourenço Marques, followed by the role of the British consulate in Lourenço Marques, President Kruger's residence in Governor Machado's home, and his departure from Mozambique to the Netherlands on board the Gelderland. In the final chapter Ferreira summarises and reflects on the key events of September-October 1900.

Enhanced by over 30 historical photographs (supplied, amongst others, by the Kruger-museum, the Portuguese National Military Archives and the Portuguese Maritime Archives), a comprehensive bibliography and index, this book is an invaluable resource for those interested in this pivotal period of South African history.

The Table of Contents and Preface can be downloaded here.

Pages:   81 (English)

Format:  Downloadable PDF (±6Mb)