Friday, 23 December 2016

Summary of fundamental rights denied to the Uitlanders bv Paul Kruger in Transvaal




Paul Kruger was aware of British moves of calculated deception. His force determination to defend Boer independence, existence and nationalism made him adopt a policy to exclude the Utilanders out of politics of Transvaal; therefore he carried out the following.
He was determined not to allow them any civil and political rights like the right to vote.
He raised the years of residence to the Uti landers in 1885 to seven years, 1890 to ten years and 14 years in 1893. This was contrary to the British demand for two years in the London Convention of 1884.
He imposed heavy taxes on the Utilanders in order to discourage them for the mining businesses.
The Transvaal government also monopolized other mineral support industries like dynamite for blasting and exploding rocks. water supply and rail- road construction.
The Boers charged high prices for the Uitlander products and service, which increased the mining costs and expenses. English language was kept out in all government businesses and in schools.
Their citizenship rights were withheld and were not allowed trial by jury.
Although many Boer businessmen lacked expertise and capital; contracts where only given to them through backdoors or corrupt means. The Utilanders could not receive these contracts .
They didn't have any stake in the affairs of Transvaal Republic.
How the Uitlanders tried to solve these injustices
They tried to assert their cultures and attitudes over Boer influence.
They ensured that they made many investments as they expanded their population almost to the tune of the Free Burghers or Afrikaners.
They increased their capital in the mining business with influence. They also acquired experts in their business to assist them.
The Transvaal National Union (TNU) formed in 1893 by the Utilanders was aimed at fighting for their rights as citizens.
They also intended fo abolish the Transvaal monopoly of dynamite, water supply and railroad construction as support industries in the Boer controlled areas near the Gold and Diamond mines.
In 1895 they also formed the Reform Movement (RM), which intended to improve and map strategies and demands for civil and political rights (the right to vote or Franchise).
They also appealed to John Cecil Rhodes and the BSACO to support them in the struggle against discrimination.
In the same year, on the orders and careful instructions from Cecil Rhodes, Sir. L.S Jameson led over 300 BSACO commandos to support an uprising on the rand. He started from Pitsani near Mafeking.
The Jameson plot was not a success but demonstrated ambitions, strategy, opportunities and the need for Uitlander rights. It was indeed a shame to the Boers.
It was the height of the work of imperialism which also led to the South African War 1899-1902.

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