The establishment of the Republic of Natal (Natalia) by the Trek Boers

The establishment of the Republic of Natal (Natalia) by the Trek Boers

The Boers migrated from the cape colony during the Great Trek in 1830s and they established different Republics in the interior of South Africa.

It was founded in 1837/1838, by Andries Pretorius after the battle of the blood river (December 1838). Natal was to be free from any rule and the Consul of the state established a capital at Martzburg.

In 1840 Adries Pretorius who led a group that formed Natal after the defeat of the Zulu, wanted to defend the southern border of Natal against cattle raids by the Bantu. He captured war prisoners' mainly of Bantu origin, which annoyed the Christian Missionaries.

In response the British sent 150 men under Captain Smith. Pretorius attacked them and they suffered losses. However, the British got support from the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and the Boer resistance was broken.

A peace treaty was signed and in 1843 the British annexed Natal and it added to the Cape Colony.

How the Republic of Natali Natalia was established by the Boers

This was established by the Boer trekkers from the Cape in 1837 lasting up to 1843.

Piet Retief led a group of united laager Boers to Natal/ Natalia. He thought it necessary to come to an agreement with Dingane, leader of the Zulu. He was to return Dingane’s cattle taken by the Tlokwa and other groups.

On the 6th February 1838, Dingane attacked Piet Retief and his Party, killed him and the eastern Boer camps were also attacked. Many Boers lost their land after this incidence.

Andries Pretorious, another Trekker became the Commandant General. On the 15th December 1838, he attacked the Zulu at the Blood River, which led to the defeat of the Zulu as revenge for Retief's death.

After the battle of the Blood River, this became the Blood River Territory. Mpande, brother to Dingane Collaborated with the Boers and eventually took over from King Dingane.

After the victory over the Zulu, the Boers established a new home of their own and called it The Republic of Natal. The Republic covered regions between the Tugela and the Umzirnkulu rivers.

Pietemaritzberg was a town established within there. There was a Council, which exercised full legislative and judicial powers, served as the Court of Appeal, had 24th members electing a President at each station.

A Structure of government was established following an elected people’s Councilor the Volksraad with 24 members who elected the President at regular intervals. It was approved by the people on the major assembly and as noted the major seat was Pietemaritzberg.

In order to deal with the military matters, the Boers established a war council called the Krugsraad and Pretorius served as the Commander General and Head of state.

Attempts were made by Andries Pretorius to bring about unity between the Boers of Natal,

In October 1840, an agreement was signed by Potigieter in which he accepted the post of Chief Commander General while Pretorius remained the Commandant General.

Following the agreement, elected representatives of the High Veld community was to sit on the Volksraad. Unfortunately the unity among the Boers of Natal Republic was fragile and developed quarrels even among the mernr- of the Volksraad.

By 1842, there were problems over claims of land especially when the Zulu claimed it from the Trekkers.

At this point, it seemed difficult for the Volksraad to handle the increasing problems. This brought concern of the British Governor of the Cape and the British official feared instability at the Cape Eastern corner.

By the end of 1842, the British advanced on Natal and in 1843 they annexed it and in 1845, Natal became part of the Cape Colony. Incorporated as one of the British provinces, many Boer farmers ran away from Natal and joined other trekkers in country between the Orange and Vaal rivers (Highveld).

In 1848, it was annexed by Britain and it became a crown colony in 1856.

By 1850, the Boers in the interior off Natal conflicted with the Africans and vice versa. It became a crown colony in 1856.

With the collapse of the Natal Republic, several Trekkers left in disgust, crossed Drakensburg and joined their friends in the High Veld.

The British authorities went ahead to govern the territory to a rapidly increasing number of Africans and fewer whites- mainly the Boers.

Why the Boers established the Republic of Natal/ Natalia

There were reports that there were empty lands in the interior and they moved in search of freedom.

The decisive victory over Dingane at the battle of the Blood River 1837 by the Trekker Boers.

Dingane had promised not to interfere in Boer affairs across the Tugela River and the Blood River territory.

There was need by the Boer settlers to be free with an independent Republic.

Natal was not heavily populated due to the effects of the M'fecane.

The Dutch settlers and African natives who settled in the area were unable to resist other white settlers who wanted to settle in the area.

Natal was an ideal and favorable area with good climate, fertile soils with reliable rainfall for agriculture.

The Boers hoped to have access to the sea in order to obtain other necessary goods from passing European ships.

They hoped to get sure guaranteed independence from or against British control.

The Zulu had evicted Africans who now sought sanctuary as fugitives among the Boer natives in Natal.

The Boers found little resistance from the existing Africans in the area.

Chief Mpande by 1840 had also collaborated with the Boers. He agreed to be a vassal state of the Volksraad / local Boer Parliament in Natal under the Boers.

There was therefore no threat to the Boers from the Africans (NGUNI) in the area.

The Boers were dissatisfied with British rule and British reforms.

There was desire for more land.

There were reports of land available beyond British influence.

The Boers wanted to be secure from the Zulu disturbances.

They also wanted to be free from British influence and the desire for independence