British reforms or changes at the cape colony after 1820

British reforms or changes at the cape colony after 1820

The nature of British rule at the Cape

The major aim of the British policy or reforms was to establish effective administrative control over the Cape Colony and the outlying settlements. They hoped to restore peace between the frontier Boers and Africans.

They hoped to boost economic development of the economy and Anglicanise the colony in various aspects and finally to introduce British liberal ideas and cultural values.

The British settlers remained at the Cape, where they introduced British style of architecture, British retail business, cultural and recreational British activities such as cricket, horse racing and hunting.

The British introduced several social, economic and political changes at the Cape colony. These changes brought clash of interests with the Boers and eventually led to the Great Trek in 1830's. These reforms were many and varied;

Slavery

There were several reforms on slavery. Throughout the British Empire there was a movement to abolish slave trade and slavery. People involved in this movement included among others William Wilberforce, John Wesley and Granville Sharpe.

Slaves were to be registered at the registry office in each district with a slave protector in 1816. This ensured that the number of slaves did not increase.

Working hours of slaves were decreased by Lord Charles Somerset's Proclamation in 1823. In this way they were not over exploited.

It also allowed Christian slaves to attend church service on Sunday and gave them freedom of worship.

A master's right to punish his slaves was controlled. Slaves were allowed to give evidence against their masters. They also had a right to appeal to a Court if wages were not paid.

Circuit Courts were introduced. They were intended to hear complaints of natives against the Boers.

All slaves were to be set free within four years from 1834.

To protect slaves from unemployment, free slaves were to remain working for their masters and being paid. There was no compensation to their masters.

In 1817, the Governor established a school for all slave children.

The working hours of slaves were reduced. The slaves got freedom as the Boers were prevented from recruiting more slaves in the Colony.

Generally, the British changes affected the status of slaves in the Cape Colony and positively affected the African people in South Africa.

The Economy

To improve the chaotic financial and economic situation in 1825, a new paper money currency was introduced to replace the old notes that had fallen in value.

In order to curb inflation, government expenditure was regulated. For instance salaries of officials like Governors were reduced and the amount of money spent on public schemes was also reduced.

The policy of giving financial assistance to prospective immigrants was also stopped.

Farmers were free to sell their Agricultural products to any Company. Trade restrictions were also removed.

The British introduced a new paper money the Pound to replace the ‘Dutch Ric’ dollar. It was based on the English denomination in London.

The British introduced their own type of architecture to replace the flat roofs of the Dutch. They built houses with large compounds and fences.

They also introduced the keeping of the menno sheep. The wool from the sheep was used in the production of woolen overcoats and blankets.

They introduced land registration policies. They also abolished slave trade and introduced legitimate trade.

Administration at the Cape

Between 1806 and 1825, the Governor ruled the colony with a lot of powers but in 1826 a Council of advisers (Advisory Council) was set up. It consisted of the Governor, the Chief Justice and the Colonial Secretary. This was set up to advice on how best the Cape could be governed.

In 1827, the settlers were given two seats on the Advisory Council. However, the settlers were not happy with this, because it was the Governor to nominate the two members.

Despite the increasing demands for a representative assembly in the Cape Colony, the British were slow at carrying out significant reforms. It was only in 1834 that a Legislative Council was set for the cape.

The Legislative Council consisted of the Governor, a senior official and between 5 and 7 nominated senior citizens. This Council had powers to pass laws for the Cape Colony. The Governor couldn't pass laws without the consent of the Council.

In 1836, Municipal Councils were established by the Act of Parliament to assist in the daily running and administration of small towns throughout the Cape Colony. This Council was also responsible for the maintenance and expansion of these towns. From 1853, the Legislative Council and members of Parliament (a House of Assembly) were to be elected by an adult suffrage irrespective of color or race.

The Judiciary

The Charter of Justice of 1828 introduced reforms in the Judiciary. The Supreme Court was set up and the Judges were to be appointed by the British crown.

Judges were to be independent that is why they could hold office as long as their conduct was proper and the Governor could not dismiss them.

The British legal system was adopted in order to bring the Cape Colony into line with the rest of the British Empire. As early as 1813, Court sessions were made public. In 1828, Trial by Jury was established through the Charter of Justice.

The Charter of Justice left the Roman Dutch Civil Law to operate, but English Criminal Law replaced the harsh Roman Dutch Criminal Law.

Only professional Judges and Lawyers were allowed to Judge Cases and work in the Courts.

The Church Movement and other Religious matters

The Church was also reformed from 1824. The Dutch Reformed Church was given certain degree of liberty. Government representatives stopped to attend meetings of its Councils of ‘synod‘.

Freedom of worship was extended to all religious groups. The Roman Catholics were given right to worship.

Starting from 1826, the Government also decided to pay the Roman Catholic priests like priests of other denominations.

All religious denominations at the Cape were given equal status. The Anglican Church replaced the Dutch Reformed Church. This met a lot of resistance from the Dutch, as they feared being eliminated by the British.

Language and Education at the Cape

Significant changes were introduced to the Educational institutions e.g, English became an official language of instruction.

Public schools were established throughout the colony and the Charter of Justice of 1828 declared English as the only language to be used in official matters of the colony.

The British desire to turn the Cape Colony into a territory which was more of British, influenced the Education policy. In 1828, English was made the official language.

English was used in education and anyone who taught in English was rewarded.

Public schools were set up in Graaf Reinet, Stellens Bosch, St. George, Tulbagh and Caledon in 1822.

Although English was strictly enforced in the Courts; documents such as Acts, Proclamations and Ordinances or official orders, continued to be printed in Dutch as well as English.

By 1853, English was the only language used in the Cape Parliament. Added to all the above reforms in education and language were the hostility of the Boers to any imposed reform.

The Press or Provocative Journalism

After 1824, the British administrators demonstrated their liberal tendencies by removing some laws that had earlier restricted the freedom of press.

The freeing of the press from censorship became a right that the administration was forced to give because of the efforts of two British settlers- Pringle and Fairbairn.

In 1828, they applied to set up a newspaper. Governor Lord Charles Somerset eventually had to admit that newspapers were allowed and not Magazines.

Pringle printed the 'South African Commercial Advertiser’ through influential journalists in London of the Times Newspaper.

By 1826, when Lord Somerset was recalled in London, censorship of the press was removed.

From 30^th April 1828, the laws governing the printing of newspapers were relaxed. As a result several newspapers were printed in Dutch and English. These included the 'Grahamston Journal', 'Zuld Afrikaan' and 'the South African Commercial Advertiser'.