The Africanders : $b A century of Dutch-English feud in South Africa

by Le Roy Hooker

"The Africanders: A Century of Dutch-English Feud in South Africa" by Le Roy Hooker is a historical account likely written during the early 20th century. The book delves into the complex relationships and conflicts between the Dutch settlers (Boers) and the British in South Africa, covering the timeline from the initial Dutch establishment in the Cape to the lead-up of the Africanders' second war of independence against British rule. It aims to narrate the development of a distinct Africander identity amid a backdrop of political unrest and tumultuous history. The opening of the book provides a foundational overview of the Dutch at the Cape from 1652 to 1795, emphasizing their motivations, social dynamics, and interactions with the indigenous populations. The text discusses the arrival of Jan Van Riebeek and the establishment of a Dutch fort, elaborating on early colonial life and governance under the Dutch East India Company. It highlights how resentment toward British encroachment grew among the colonists and sets the stage for the eventual conflicts that would ensue as the British began to assert their dominance over the region, thus foreshadowing the deeper tensions and confrontations that characterize the Africanders' historical narrative.