Podcasts about Bloemfontein

The first batch of SANDF soldiers that was expected to return to South Africa from the DRC YESTERDAY afternoon, has finally touched down on home soil. The group, which initially expected to arrive at the Bloemspruit Air Force base in Bloemfontein arrived at the Waterkloof Airforce base in Pretoria yesterday evening. They were part of the Southern African Development Community - SADC - Mission in the DRC. The soldiers flew in from their assembly point in Tanzania. To look at this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ricardo Teixeira, Defence Analyst at DefenceWeb

The bail application of a police officer who allegedly kidnapped a 19-year-old learner, has been postponed to the 24th of June, to allow for the conclusion of a identification parade into evidence. Kamogelo Baukudi, a Grade 11 learner at a Bloemfontein school for children with special needs, was on his way home from school when was he was kidnapped by two men posing as police officers. Jon Gericke spoke to SABC News reporter, Thabiso Radebe.

Die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag sê die eerste groep soldate, wat na die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo ontplooi is, sal môre na die land terugkeer. Hulle was deel van die Suider-Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap se sending in die DRK. Hul terugkeer volg op die repatriasie van die oorskot van 14 soldate vroeër die jaar, wat tydens botsings met M23-rebelle dood is. Prins Tshabalala van die SANW sê die troepe sal by die Bloemspruit-lugmagbasis in Bloemfontein aankom:

Maurice a signé une prestation défensive remarquable en phase de groupes de la COSAFA Cup 2025. Le mardi 10 juin, à Bloemfontein, les hommes du Club M ont fait match nul 0‑0 face à l'Afrique du Sud, scellant une série de trois rencontres sans encaisser le moindre but. Au terme de ces trois matchs (Zimbabwe, Mozambique et Afrique du Sud), Maurice quitte la compétition invaincue, avec un bilan exceptionnel : trois nuls, zéro but encaissé et 3 points au compteur. Une performance défensive qui n'a rien à envier à celle de la plupart des nations plus expérimentées. Après la rencontre contre le pays hôte, Adel Langue, milieu défensif, s'est dit « satisfait de ne pas avoir pris de but » et confiant pour l'avenir de la sélection : « Cela prouve que nous pouvons rivaliser, et la suite sera encore meilleure ». Son optimisme reflète l'état d'esprit de tout le groupe. Malgré l'élimination, le bilan reste positif : une défense solide, un moral intact et une crédibilité grandie. Le principal point à améliorer reste la phase offensive, où des occasions nettes sont restées inexploitées. Pour aller plus loin, il faudra transformer cette rigueur défensive en efficacité devant le but.

This episode was recorded on 22 May, during the installation of Francis Offman's solo exhibition at the Secession. Kamogelo Walaza, a curatorial fellow from South Africa, spoke with the artist about his work and the exhibition: Francis Offman Weaving Stories 29.5. – 31.8.2025 The walls of the stairwell that leads to Francis Offman's exhibition Weaving Stories are covered in dried coffee grounds. The dark tactile material transforms the narrow entrance to the exhibition space on the first floor into an immersive olfactory experience. More The works of Francis Offman consist of canvases (not mounted on stretchers) with irregular contours, featuring paintings that emerge from the associations of sections of vivid, flat, uniform colors, and collage zones made with the insertion of scraps of paper – thin or thicker sheets, salvaged from bread wrappers or shoeboxes – which enter the composition like rips or wounds. An encounter that only on occasion makes elements emerge that can be traced back to the real: a dry tree, a mountain, a portion of water, earth or sky … Offman's pieces are free compositions that imply fragile references, minimal and understated, to a faraway world (Africa and Rwanda, where the artist spent some of his childhood) and its customs, a traumatic memory and an uncertain identity; jagged, dynamic spaces that cannot give rise to an integral landscape. (Davide Ferri) Francis Offman was born in Butare, Rwanda, in 1987 and now lives in Bologna, Italy. Kamogelo Walaza is a curatorial fellow at the Secession from May to June 2025 as part of the FOCUS INTERNATIONAL programme of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport. She is a curator, writer, arts and cultural educator and ethnographer, born in Bloemfontein and based in Johannesburg. She holds a Postgraduate degree in Applied Drama and Theatre and a BA Honours in Drama Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as a BA in Corporate Communication, an Honours in Communication Studies, and an Honours in Public Management and Governance from the University of Johannesburg. Walaza received the Marshall Kander Drama for Life Award for her research on HIV/AIDS awareness through applied drama. She recently completed a distinction-awarded autoethnographic paper titled Memories in Her Blood.   Secession Podcast: Artists features artists exhibiting at the Secession. The Dorotheum is the exclusive sponsor of the Secession Podcast. Programmed by the board of the Secession. Jingle: Hui Ye with an excerpt from Combat of dreams for string quartet and audio feed (2016, Christine Lavant Quartett) by Alexander J. Eberhard Audio Editor: Paul Macheck Executive Producer: Bettina Spörr

Former Free State premier, Ace Magashule's former personal assistant Moroadi Cholota is a free woman. This after the High Court in Bloemfontein ruled that her extradition from the US was unlawful. The court also said it did not have the jurisdiction to try Cholota on corruption that she and Magashule are charged with. The case is related to the 255-million-rand asbestos roofing removal tender. Judge Phillip Loubster delivered judgment in the trial within a trial. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal expert, Elton Hart

Police say investigations into the murder of Olorato Mongale are continuing and the search for suspects has reached a critical stage. Mongale was brutally murdered and dumped in a sidewalk in Lombardy, Johannesburg just two hours after she had informed her loved ones that she was going on a date at the weekend. The 30-year-old reportedly met the man in Bloemfontein, Free State, last week and they agreed to meet in Johannesburg. The student was last seen alive when she was picked up by a white VW polo outside her apartment. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, says there is a syndicate that targets women at malls. The perpetrators approach them, request to take them out on dates, and then rob them.

The Zulu royal family remains confident that Prince Simakade's court challenge will not disrupt King Misuzulu's ascension to the throne. Prince Simakade is contesting President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu as the legitimate Zulu monarch in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. For more on the case, Elvis Presslin spoke to Prince Thulani Zulu, spokesperson for the Zulu Royal Household

The R255-million asbestos roof replacement tender case has returned to the High Court in Bloemfontein, Free State. This after the state witness fell sick last week. Judge Phillip Loubser was expected to deliver a ruling on whether other defense lawyers in the Asbestos case can cross examine the state witness. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Kamogelo Seekoei

‘n Groep wit Suid-Afrikaners wat deur Amerika as vlugtelinge beskou word, kom in dié land aan. Die binneverhoor oor die sogenaamde asbesdak-bedrogsaak word in Bloemfontein uitgestel. Die Indiese kolwer, Virat Kohli, kondig sy uittrede uit toetskrieket aan.

Constable Cebekhulu Linda is being buried today in Bloemforntein in the Free State. Constable Cebekhulu Linda was among the three constables whose bodies were retrieved from the Hennops river in Centurion, Pretoria, a week ago. Family and friends have described constable Cebekhulu Linda as a person who was destined for greatness. They say from a young age he was tasked with responsibilities which he carried out with diligence. His funeral service is under way at the St Rose Catholic Church in Bochabela in Bloemfontein. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Kamohelo Tsotetsi

National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola has thanked Constable Boipelo Senoge for her dedication in serving her country through the SAPS. He spoke at her funeral held at St. Peter Anglican church at Rocklands in Bloemfontein. Senoge was stationed in Parkweg Police station in Bloemfontein since July 2024.Constable Senoge died alongside two of her colleagues - Costables Cebekhulu Linda and Keabetswe Buys. The bodies of the three officers were recovered from the Hennops River at Centurion, (Gauteng) last week after they had gone missing on the 23rd of April. They were last seen by their families when they left their homes in Bloemfontein travelling to their area of deployment in Limpopo. However the search for the three constables reached a tragic end this week when the first two bodies were found while the third body was recove shortly after. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Kamohelo Tsotetsi who is following the story for us...

A joint memorial service for the three police constables whose bodies were retrieved from the Hennops River in Centurion last week is taking place at the Bobbies Park in Bloemfontein this afternoon. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae are expected to attend the service. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ishmael Modiba

This is episode 221, 1863, the midst of the Transvaal Civil War. As you heard in episode 220, this was the making of a new president and one who'd take the Trekker Republics into the 20th Century, albeit in the midst of the Anglo-Boer War. There had been a rapid and real effect — as the farmers took up arms against each other, the Transvaal's economy collapsed. This weakened the government's ability to back up its stated authority. By now the tiny independent States of Lydenburg and Utrecht had joined the Transvaal accepting the authority of the Transvaal. They had been outliers since the trekkers first arrived in those regions, fifteen years earlier. To recap - In 1859, Transvaal President, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, was invited to stand for President in the Orange Free State, many burghers there now wanted to unify with the Transvaal. They were mainly worried about how to deal with King Moshoeshoe of the Basotho. The Transvaal constitution that he had just enacted made it illegal to hold office abroad, still Pretorius won the Transvaal election, then Volksraad attempted to side-step the constitutional problems by granting Pretorius half-a-year of leave. They hoped some kind of solution would be found — Pretorius left for Bloemfontein and appointed Johannes Hermanus Grobler to be acting president in his absence. Up stepped Stephanus Schoeman from the Marico region who unsuccessfully attempted to use force to supplant Johannes Grobler as acting president. Schoeman believed that the presidency should have been granted to him as the new Transvaal constitution stipulated that in the case of the president's dismissal or death, the presidency should be granted to the oldest member of the Executive Council. Schoeman was three years older than Grobler. Forward fast to 1863, Kruger had defeated Schoeman at a skirmish outside Potchefstroom. He had also managed to convince some of the supporters of rebel in the Heidelberg district to switch sides, and had ridden back to Pretoria with a local farmer of high standing, Jan Marais. There a council of war determined that rebels like Schoeman were taking advantage of a disagreement between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The two fledgling Boer Republics could not agree on where the boundary lay between them. Transvaal President Van Rensburg duly assigned Kruger the duty of riding to the Free State to settle the question of the border - and he left almost immediately, taking a group of burghers with him as security. Further West, the Marico district was a hotbed of rebel activity and the commandant there, Jan Viljoen, heard about Kruger's mission and organised a commando. On the way to Potch, a spy warned Kruger about what awaited. He changed course, and set off with a small detachment to confront Viljoen while Kruger's 2 IC, Veld kornet Sarel Eloff dashed forward to seize a nearby kopje - the all important high ground. Viljoen is so happened, was also on his way to the very same kopje. One of the aspects of this conflict which is interesting is how Kruger used his spies or messengers as he called them. They were feeding him information daily, information about what Schoeman and Viljoen were up to. The capacity to recon an enemy was one of the defining strengths of the Boer military system, and would be sharpened constantly over the coming century and a half. Folks, there are remarkable resonances in this apparently distant little civil war. When the Union of South Africa was achieved, Bloemfontein was nominated as the seat of the Supreme Court of the union. Cape Town and Pretoria shared power, parliament in Cape Town, Pretoria the seat of government. The Free State is slap bang in the middle — so they got the Supreme Court. These historical instances reflect a legal and political philosophy that, in the aftermath of internal conflict, prioritising national healing through amnesty can be more beneficial than widespread punitive actions.

This is episode 221, 1863, the midst of the Transvaal Civil War. As you heard in episode 220, this was the making of a new president and one who'd take the Trekker Republics into the 20th Century, albeit in the midst of the Anglo-Boer War. There had been a rapid and real effect — as the farmers took up arms against each other, the Transvaal's economy collapsed. This weakened the government's ability to back up its stated authority. By now the tiny independent States of Lydenburg and Utrecht had joined the Transvaal accepting the authority of the Transvaal. They had been outliers since the trekkers first arrived in those regions, fifteen years earlier. To recap - In 1859, Transvaal President, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, was invited to stand for President in the Orange Free State, many burghers there now wanted to unify with the Transvaal. They were mainly worried about how to deal with King Moshoeshoe of the Basotho. The Transvaal constitution that he had just enacted made it illegal to hold office abroad, still Pretorius won the Transvaal election, then Volksraad attempted to side-step the constitutional problems by granting Pretorius half-a-year of leave. They hoped some kind of solution would be found — Pretorius left for Bloemfontein and appointed Johannes Hermanus Grobler to be acting president in his absence. Up stepped Stephanus Schoeman from the Marico region who unsuccessfully attempted to use force to supplant Johannes Grobler as acting president. Schoeman believed that the presidency should have been granted to him as the new Transvaal constitution stipulated that in the case of the president's dismissal or death, the presidency should be granted to the oldest member of the Executive Council. Schoeman was three years older than Grobler. Forward fast to 1863, Kruger had defeated Schoeman at a skirmish outside Potchefstroom. He had also managed to convince some of the supporters of rebel in the Heidelberg district to switch sides, and had ridden back to Pretoria with a local farmer of high standing, Jan Marais. There a council of war determined that rebels like Schoeman were taking advantage of a disagreement between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The two fledgling Boer Republics could not agree on where the boundary lay between them. Transvaal President Van Rensburg duly assigned Kruger the duty of riding to the Free State to settle the question of the border - and he left almost immediately, taking a group of burghers with him as security. Further West, the Marico district was a hotbed of rebel activity and the commandant there, Jan Viljoen, heard about Kruger's mission and organised a commando. On the way to Potch, a spy warned Kruger about what awaited. He changed course, and set off with a small detachment to confront Viljoen while Kruger's 2 IC, Veld kornet Sarel Eloff dashed forward to seize a nearby kopje - the all important high ground. Viljoen is so happened, was also on his way to the very same kopje. One of the aspects of this conflict which is interesting is how Kruger used his spies or messengers as he called them. They were feeding him information daily, information about what Schoeman and Viljoen were up to. The capacity to recon an enemy was one of the defining strengths of the Boer military system, and would be sharpened constantly over the coming century and a half. Folks, there are remarkable resonances in this apparently distant little civil war. When the Union of South Africa was achieved, Bloemfontein was nominated as the seat of the Supreme Court of the union. Cape Town and Pretoria shared power, parliament in Cape Town, Pretoria the seat of government. The Free State is slap bang in the middle — so they got the Supreme Court. These historical instances reflect a legal and political philosophy that, in the aftermath of internal conflict, prioritising national healing through amnesty can be more beneficial than widespread punitive actions.

Der wunderbare Titel der heutigen Episode lautet: »Die Natur kennt feine Grade«. Leider stammt er nicht von mir, sondern ist der Titel des neuen Buches meines heutigen Gasts, Prof. Frank Zachos. Aufmerksame Hörer werden sich an Frank erinnern, dazu aber mehr später. Frank Zachos ist seit 2011 Wissenschaftler am Naturhistorischen Museum in Wien und außerdem externer Professor an der Universität in Bloemfontein in Südafrika. Er hat Biologie, Philosophie und Wissenschaftsgeschichte studiert und beschäftigt sich außer mit Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie auch mit theoretischen und philosophischen Aspekten der Biologie. In dieser Episode beschäftigen wir uns mit der Frage, welche Beiträge Naturwissenschaft im Allgemeinen und Biologie im Besonderen bei fundamentalen Fragen des Menschseins leisten kann. Wir beginnen dabei mit den bekannten Kant'schen Fragen: Was kann ich wissen? (Erkenntnistheorie) Was darf ich hoffen? (Religionsphilosophie) Was soll ich tun? (Ethik / Moralphilosophie) Was ist der Mensch? (Anthropologie im weitesten Sinne) Und zu allen Fragen gibt es, wir wir erkunden werden, eine biologische Dimension. Zahlreiche Fragen werden aufgeworfen: Wie unterscheiden sich Mensch und Tier? Welche Rolle spielt Evolution in den verschiedensten Bereichen unseres Lebens, von der Biologie, über die Erkenntnis bis zur Kultur? Was können wir für Moral und Ethik von der Biologie lernen? Was ist die evolutionäre Erkenntnistheorie (die besonders auch in Österreich wichtige Vertreter hatte)? Wir blicken hier zurück auf Konrad Lorenz und Rupert Riedl. Kann man der Philosophie in den Naturwissenschaften entkommen, oder holt sie uns immer ein? »Man kann die Philosophie ignorieren, man kann ihr aber nicht entkommen« Was ist der Unterschied zwischen unwissenschaftlichen und außerwissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen? Was ist metaphysischer Realismus, und warum lässt sich dieser wissenschaftlich nicht begründen. Welche Rolle spielt systemisches Denken in Ergänzung zum Reduktionismus für die komplexen Herausforderungen der Zeit und warum kann biologisches Denken ebenfalls hilfreich sein? »Wer will was Lebendigs erkennen und beschreiben, Sucht erst den Geist herauszutreiben, Dann hat er die Teile in seiner Hand, Fehlt, leider! nur das geistige Band.«, Goethe, Faust I Behaupten wir oft mehr zu wissen und zu verstehen als wir wirklich tun? Warum ist intellektuelle Bescheidenheit gerade heute von zentraler Bedeutung. »Die Wissenschaft ist gewissermaßen Opfer ihres eigenen Erfolgs geworden« Gibt es Kränkungen der Menschheit durch Wissenschaft? Gibt es bei manchen oder gar vielen Menschen eine Art der Realitätsfurcht? Was hat »Follow the Science« ausgelöst, also vor rund 100 Jahren Euthanasie und die Verbesserung der Erbsubstanz des Menschen als Stand des Wissens galt? »Wann immer man Moral mit wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen letztbegründen will, wird es ganz gefährlich« Frank erinnert dabei wieder an Kant: »Es gibt kein Sollen in der Natur.« Womit sich die Frage stellt, was ein naturalistischer Fehlschluss ist, und wie wir ihn vermeiden können? »Wer zwingt uns natürlich zu sein?« Oder wie es Hans Rosling ausdrückt:  »Have you heard people say that humans used to live in balance with nature? […] There was a balance. It wasn't because humans lived in balance with nature. Humans died in balance with nature. It was utterly brutal and tragic.« Kehren wir zurück zur Erkenntnis: was können wir aus der Biologie über Erkenntnisfähigkeit lernen? Konkreter gedacht am Beispiel der evolutionären Erkenntnistheorie sowie den Kant'schen a prioris. »Das was im Idividuum a priori ist (also von Geburt an), ist eigentlich doch etwas erlerntes, aber nicht individuell erlernt, sondern evolutionär/stammesgeschichtlich. Das Kant'sche a priori wird in der evolutionären Erkenntnistheorie zu einem phylogenetischen oder evolutionären a posteriori.« Nicht zuletzt diskutieren wir auch über die Bedeutung von Religion für die Menschen. Verschwindet Religion langsam, wenn unsere Erkenntnisse über die Welt zunehmen, oder passiert eher das Gegenteil? Und damit reißen wir die Fragen die in Franks Buch aufgeworfen werden, nur an. Daher an alle Zuhörer dieser Episode, die Empfehlung, sich das Buch zu besorgen und weiterzulesen. »Wir können mittlerweile Dinge beschreiben, die wir uns gar nicht mehr vorstellen können« Referenzen Frank Zachos Frank Zachos im Naturhistorischen Museum in Wien Frank Zachos, Die Natur kennt feine Grade (2025) Andere Episoden Episode 118: Science and Decision Making under Uncertainty, A Conversation with Prof. John Ioannidis   Episode 106: Wissenschaft als Ersatzreligion? Ein Gespräch mit  Manfred Glauninger Episode 98: Ist Gott tot? Ein philosophisches Gespräch mit Jan Juhani Steinmann Episode 92: Wissen und Expertise Teil 2   Episode 85: Naturalismus — was weiß Wissenschaft? Episode 83: Robert Merton — Was ist Wissenschaft? Episode 75: Gott und die Welt, ein Gespräch mit Werner Gruber und Erich Eder Episode 55: Strukturen der Welt Episode 48: Evolution, ein Gespräch mit Erich Eder Episode 41: Intellektuelle Bescheidenheit: Was wir von Bertrand Russel und der Eugenik lernen können Episode 33: Naturschutz im Anthropozän – Gespräch mit Prof. Frank Zachos Fachliche Referenzen Immanuel Kant, Kritik der reinen Vernunft (1781) Immanuel Kant, Prolegomena zu einer jeden künftigen Metaphysik, die als Wissenschaft wird auftreten können (1783) Konrad Lorenz, Die acht Todsünden der zivilisierten Menschheit, Piper (1996) Rupert Riedl, Evolution und Erkenntnis, Piper (1985) Rupert Riedl, Strukturen der Komplexität: Eine Morphologie des Erkennens und Erklärens, Springer (2000) Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust I (1808) Hans Rosling, Factfulness, Sceptre (2018) Konrad Lorenz Artikel: Die Lehre Kants a priori im Lichte der modernen Biologie. Dave Grossman, On Killing, Back Bay Books (2009)

Die polisie het bevestig dat die wit VW Polo wat uit die Hennopsrivier in Centurion gehaal is, aan die drie Vrystaatse polisiebeamptes behoort het wat vroeër die week dood is. Konstabels Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys en Boipelo Senoge het vermis geraak nadat hulle verlede week van Bloemfontein na hul ontplooiingsgebied in Limpopo gereis het. Hul liggame is Dinsdag uit die rivier gehaal. Polisiekommissaris Fannie Masemola sê 'n deeglike ondersoek sal nou gedoen word:

Die polisie het bevestig dat die soek- en reddingspanne stukke van 'n voertuig - insluitend 'n voor- en agterbuffer - by die Hennopsrivier in Centurion gevind het. 'n Polisiewoordvoerder, Athlenda Mathe, sê kenners probeer vasstel of dit met die Volkswagen Polo verbind kan word waarmee die polisiekonstabels Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys en Boipelo Senoge van Bloemfontein na Limpopo gereis het:

Die nasionale polisiekommissaris, Fannie Masemola, het bevestig dat drie van die vyf liggame wat uit die Hennopsrivier in Centurion, Pretoria, gehaal is, dié van die konstabels is wat verlede Woensdag vermis geraak het. Konstabels Linda Cebekhulu, Keamogetswe Buys en Boipelo Senoge het verdwyn terwyl hulle van Bloemfontein na hul ontplooiingsgebied in Limpopo gereis het. Masemola sê die vierde liggaam is dié van 'n administrateur by die Lyttleton-polisiestasie. Die vyfde liggaam is ontbind, en die identiteit kon nog nie bevestig word nie:

The families of the three missing police officers have arrived in Pretoria for the identification process, following the retrieval of three bodies at the Hennops River in Centurion. The bodies are of two males and one female. The three officers went missing last week while travelling from Bloemfontein to Limpopo where the two of the three had been deployed. The search for the second female body and the car they were travelling in is ongoing. Chriselda Lewis spoke to National Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe

The ongoing search for three missing police constables; two females and one male continues after they vanished last week while traveling from Bloemfontein to Limpopo for a deployment. Over the weekend, National Police Commissioner announced a R350,000 reward for information leading to a breakthrough in the case. To discuss this, Elvis Presslin spoke to National Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe

In Spektrum kyk ons na die saak van moord wat geopen is na die dood van 'n gevangene by die Mangaung Korrektiewe-sentrum in Bloemfontein. Die DA lê kriminele klagte teen die minister van Menselike Nedersettings, Thembi Simelane na haar beweerde betrokkenheid by korrupsie. Owerhede maan motorists om veilig te wees op die pad die lang-naweek

Die DA eis 'n volle ondersoek en dissiplinêre optrede ná die onttrekking van atlete van Limpopo uit die SA skolekampioenskappe in Bloemfontein in die Vrystaat. Die party sê atlete is sonder kos of verblyf gelaat en moes op busse slaap na mislukte beplanning deur die provinsiale Departement van Sport, Kuns en Kultuur. Franco Marx van die DA dring aan dat diegene wat verantwoordelik is, aanspreeklik gehou moet word om die publiek se vertroue te herstel:

The farming community has bemoaned the lack of support from authorities to combat stock theft. The sector loses billions of rands annually due to stock theft. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ,his deputy Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, held a stakeholder engagement with the farming community in Bloemfontein to address the issue. The event brought together top officials from the hardest hit provinces - Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo as well as farming communities from affected provinces to discuss the escalating stock theft. Ishmael Modiba reports.....

rWotD Episode 2869: Heinrich Smit (politician) Welcome to Random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia’s vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Wednesday, 12 March 2025 is Heinrich Smit (politician).Heinrich Charl "Sandlana" Smit (1955 – 17 September 2022) was a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature from May 2019 until his death in September 2022. He was first elected to the provincial legislature in the 2019 general election, ranked 19th on the ANC's provincial party list. Smit was born in 1955 and joined the ANC in 1994, the year that apartheid ended. His local ANC branch was in Mangaung in the Free State. He held a range of full-time positions in the provincial party administration and in the provincial government, including in the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and as liaison officer for minorities in the office of the Premier, Ace Magashule. In 2012 he told News24 that he was a die-hard political supporter of Magashule.Smit died on 17 September 2022, aged 67, at a guesthouse in Bloemfontein. His body was found in his car outside the guesthouse.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:54 UTC on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Heinrich Smit (politician) on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Ivy.

Ten people have died and about 30 inquired following an accident involving a truck and a bus on the N6 between Reddersburg and Springfield in the Free State. The road had to be closed and traffic diverted as a result. Free State Emergency Medical Services officials are attending to the trapped and injured passengers. The injured have been transported to hospitals in Bloemfontein and the nearby Springfield. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ishmael Modiba in the Free State

Despite being called a "gimmick act" by older comedians early in his comedy journey, Phil de Lange has had a career many of them would be jealous of. He has a Comics Choice Award under his belt, performed as part of Trevor Noah's Nation Wild tour, and regularly headlines shows all across the country. All that while producing the breakfast show on Smile FM, and putting together his podcast, Petty Crime South Africa, which won the SA Podcasting Award for best comedy podcast. As an alt music scenester from a small city, Phil and Bob share many similarities, which makes Phil the perfect guy to give Bob tips on how to navigate his recent move to Cape Town.In this episode, we hear how Phil and Bob were both at the same small punk festival in Bloemfontein, we discuss the surprisingly controversial topic of musical comedy and whether or not Phil sees his ukulele as a crutch, and we gush about our mutual love of Marc Maron and audio-only podcasting. Enjoy.Keep up with Phil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourphil/Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/almostperfect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He risked bankruptcy in planting potatoes in the dust and drought against everyone's counsel, and it yielded a bumper crop. He organised a weekend initiative which grew into 450,000 men gathering on his farm! The Spirit prompted him to call for a prayer meeting and 1.4million people showed up! 80 of his farm-workers were there to witness him praying for a dead lady struck by lightning whom he'd offered to take to the morgue, and she came back to life. Angus takes God as His word, and moves in radical obedience and faith. Get ready for an incredible podcast!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2cmc2TlpWMCheck out angusbuchan.co.za for books or to sign up for his daily Word for Today.An article on the biggest African prayer gathering ever on a farm outside Bloemfontein.---Get daily or weekly Choose Life emails: chooselife.org.uk Join us for Inspired Live with Gladiator Warren Furman: greatlakesoutreach.org/inspired-live Support our work in Burundi: greatlakesoutreach.org/inspired ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Weekly episode WhatsApp link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greatlakesoutreach.org/whatsappWeekly email notification: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greatlakesoutreach.org/inspiredemail⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more from Simon, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠simonguillebaud.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Produced by Great Lakes Outreach - Transforming Burundi & Beyond: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greatlakesoutreach.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Die African Transformation Movement eis geregtigheid en vergoeding nadat 'n pasiënt na bewering komplikasies ontwikkel het ná 'n mislukte operasie by die Pelonomi-hospitaal in Bloemfontein in die Vrystaat. Die party het die hospitaal se bestuur gekritiseer en beweer hulle was nalatig en het versuim om behoorlike sorg te verskaf. Die ATM se woordvoerder, Zama Ntshona, eis aanspreeklikheid van die provinsiale Departement van Gesondheid en vra verder 'n opknapping van die gesondheidsorgstelsel om soortgelyke voorvalle in die toekoms te voorkom:

Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney react to England beating South Africa by 286 runs in Bloemfontein – their first Test win in a decade. Also on the agenda is India's white-ball series against West Indies and the Women's Premier League auction, while Lauren Winfield-Hill joins Yas to review the Test. 0:00 Intro / 1:10 Lauren Winfield-Hill / 13:40 South Africa vs England / 28:02 India vs West Indies / 33:29 Women's Premier League auction / 44:44 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls' cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help transform the game, head to metrobankonline.co.uk/cricket to champion the future of girls' cricket.

Send us a textPalesa Segomotso Motsumi, a trailblazing creative social entrepreneur, shares her journey from the corporate grind to the exciting world of art and social change. Through her groundbreaking work with Sematsatsa Library and projects like "Hashtag That's What She Said," Palesa uses art as a powerful medium to spark dialogue and transform communities across South Africa. Her story is a testament to the power of art in fostering inclusivity and empowering women, as she highlights the diverse and interconnected nature of visual arts, music, fashion, and architecture.As Palesa tells us in this conversation, passion, resilience and sacrifice are the bare minimum you need to take a leap from corporate to entrepreneurship. But it also takes the support of people who believe in you. Palesa has moved from her hometown of Bloemfontein, through the art scenes of Johannesburg and Cape Town and she gives us a taste of her experiences there. Find out how she moved from reluctant curator to a powerful player with her own arts agency and consultancy. Find out how she has balanced the need for financial stability with her work as a social entrepreneur, and how she advises young artists to create their own sustainable careers in this space. Through her work and connecting with artists and curators who inspire new narratives in the art world, Palesa now has a dream of creating an institution that would give back to the community that nurtured her talent and supported her career. Palesa draws inspiration from figures like Ghanaian artist, Ibrahim Mahama, and her passion for gardening and plants, which also influences her life life philosophy. Don't miss this amazing conversation! LINKS AND MENTIONS Palesa's Social Media Accounts - Sematsatsa Library and Personal ProfileLawrence LemoanaMary SibandeRuth MotauWilliam KentridgeZanele MuholiSupport the showNEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletterSUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook

Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winners Alex Hartley & Lydia Greenway for reaction to the one-off Test match in Bloemfontein, where England have won convincingly by 286 runs. We hear from England captain Heather Knight on the controversy from the game, takeaways from the tour and preparation for the Ashes in early 2025. We also get the thoughts of Player of the Match Lauren Bell who picked up 8 wickets.

Glenda hasn't seen her son Riaan since November last year and misses him terribly. He currently works on a farm around Bloemfontein and hasn't had a way to spend time with his mom in Paarl, until now. Listen as the #KfmMornings team gives Riaan the good news that his mom has won flight tickets to visit her soon, thanks to Checkers

Krieket: Krieket Suid-Afrika het die groep van 15 Protea-vroue aangewys vir hulle eenmalige toets teen Engeland op die Mangaung-ovaal in Bloemfontein vanaf die 15de. Die wedstryd is die eerste tuistoets vir Suid-Afrika sedert Maart 2002. Die snelbouler Tumi Sekhukhune vervang die medium-snelbouler Ayabonga Khaka. Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi en Chloé Tryon is terug in die span nadat hulle die vorige toets teen Indië misgeloop het. Hoofafrigter Mandla Mashimbyi glo dit is ‘n uitstekende geleentheid om te leer.

This is episode 200 - we have reached the double century milestone on our winding journey through the past. When I began the series in 2021 after some years of planning, I had no idea what would happen. Diving into the shark tank that is history podcasting took a great deal of forethought. One person's history is another persons' propaganda after all, social engineers rewrite the past to suit their own agenda's and this series has been based on our people's stories first. Endeavouring to let the folks of the south talk for themselves, which of course, can threaten folks' world view about their origins, or their personal narrative. It is rife with risk. So it's with some relief to report that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. This series is now the third most shared podcast in South Africa — a stunning revelation given that I am doing this solo. There is no marketing team, no financier, no patron, just me and you the listener. Thanks to Francois at iono.fm for the growth in advertising, nothing for mahala I guess. Speaking of filthy lucre, I have a PayPal account for donations which can be found on desmondlatham.blog. The funds go towards the series audio hosting fees. The third video episode is about to land on YouTube, so things are happening. With that craven bit of begging, let us continue for we are going to spend this episode meeting Cape Governor, Sir George Grey. He is probably the most influential Englishman in both New Zealand and South Africa's history, playing a key role in the annexation of Maori land, he spent time as a Governor of Australia. Very much an administrator of his time, he believed in educating the masses, and put his money where his mouth was, founding Grey's College in Bloemfontein in 1855, then Grey's High School in Gbeberha a year later. In between, all manner of shenanigans were recorded. But wait. As we hear about Sir George, I'll introduce his amaxhosa alter ego, Manhlakaza, aka Wilhelm Goliath, who was the first amaXhosa Anglican in South Africa. Manhlakaza's relationship with the Archdeacon of Grahamstown, Nathanial James Merriman, was going to change the whole course of South Africa's history. Don't take my word for it, this is the view of many who know much more than me about these things, particularly the fantastic historian Jeff Peires. Here were two people, opposites. Grey and Goliath. Their tale is tantamount to the gears of history turning like a great, soot-streaked clockwork, steam-punk cogs groaning under the weight of human ambition and magical ether, while the past, a fog of coal-smoke and brass, hisses and sputters, propelling the unwieldy engine unsteadily into the unknown. The allegorical story this episode contains metaphors and illustrations of an era. Grey believed white and black people were essentially the same, it was only culture and backward rituals that separated the races. Grey wrote regularly about how aborigines and later amaXhosa “…are as apt and intelligent as any other race of men I am acquainted with…” “They are subject to the same affections, appetites and passions as other men…” Simply put, he thought that the Aborigines, the Maoris, the First People's of Canada, the Khoekhoe, the Nguni and Tswana speaking south Africans, all wanted to become Englishmen but couldn't because they were trapped by the barbarous customs and rituals enforced by their older generation. At the same time, the colonial in him believed that no Aborigine, or Maori or African culture, was worth the grand heights of English culture. Still, that didn't stop him personally conducting a major contribution study of the Maori language and folklore. That study is regarded one of the most important research into early Maori ways — a contradiction considering that he didn't hold the Maori ways in high regard. What a strange character.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 6th of December, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.We go to the Book of Daniel 2:19:”Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” Then we go straight to the Gospel of Mark 4:41:”And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” - Jesus, speaking to the weather and calming the storm, a physical impossibility. Here at Shalom, we've got a favourite saying, and it goes like this: ”One genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.” If you imagine Nebuchadnezzar telling his wise men, ”I want you to interpret a dream I had last night because I cannot sleep and I'm very anxious and fearful.” And they said to him, ”Well King, tell us what you dreamt and we'll interpret it.” “No, no, no, no. You must tell me what I dreamt and then interpret it.” They said, ”There's nobody on earth that can do that.” And the king started to kill the wise men, the sorcerers and the magicians, until the soldiers came to Daniel, Meshack, Shadrack and Abednigo. Daniel said, ”Give us time and we will interpret it.” Folks, you see, that's a genuine miracle, and of course, we know that when Daniel interpreted the dream, everything changed.I want to tell you a little story, a few years ago, I'm sure many of you in South Africa remember it, we had a prayer meeting in Bloemfontein, in the middle of our country. Our country was in dire straits. Over one million people arrived at that meeting, an open-air meeting. It was an incredible occasion. One of my sons brought his friend, a professional rugby player, an unbeliever, to the meeting and he told me afterwards that the young man was very impressed by the beautiful music. He was impressed by the massive crowd and he was interested in the message that I brought, but that didn't change anything. Then out of the blue, a whirlwind started at the back of the crowd and it came right forward taking up into the air, blankets, deckchairs, cooler boxes, never to be seen again, and hovered over the stage for a while, in a perfectly calm day with not a breath of wind. This young man was so amazed by this event that he gave his life to Christ.Today, let us not underestimate the miracle-working power of our God.Jesus bless you and goodbye.

Amptenare van die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste het ʼn verrassingsbesoek aan die Mangaung Korrektiewe Sentrum in Bloemfontein gebring. Dit volg na die bekendstelling van Operasie Vala om in die feestyd veiligheid, sekerheid en nakoming by gevangenisse te verbeter. Die tronk wat is waar die veroordeelde moordenaar en verkragter, Thabo Bester, in 2022 ontsnap het. Die departement se nasionale kommissaris, Makgothi Thobakgale, sê hulle het tydens die deursoeking verskeie smokkelware, selfone en geld gevind:

John Maytham and  discuss the recent Bloemfontein court ruling that allows men to take their wives' surnames and highlight its significance as a challenge to traditional gender roles and importance for promoting equality in marriage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- Apology tweet to Professor Pakeng - First date food portions - Man City case - Plus ones Song credits - DJ what what - Bloemfontein

This is episode 192 and what a packed episode it is! The Sand River Convention and the Battle of the Berea await. The former created a new state called the Zuid Afrikaans Republiek and the latter reinforced the Basotho power under Moshoeshoe which would ultimately lead to the kingdom of Lesotho being born. Two events that too place at the book ends of 1852 - the Convention signed in January, and the Battle of the Berea in December - left their indelible marks on South African history. The decision by the British government to sign a Convention with the Boers of the Transvaal was the result of two local officials, William Samuel Hogge and Charles Mostyn Owen. Because the 8th frontier war against the amaXhosa was going so badly, it was imperative for the British to deal with other possible threats. When they had reached Bloemfontein in November 1851, Hogge and Owen were assailed by conspiracy and tales of intrigue, some of which I explained last episode. Hogge was the senior of the two, and realised pretty quickly that the biggest problem was the annexation of the Orange River Sovereignty by Harry Smith. The Governor, said Hogge in a letter, was either “deceived or deceived himself in supposing that the majority of the white people here ever desired British authority to be extended over them…” That was the last thing the Boers wanted. He also realised that the other challenge to any authority in the Orange River Sovereignty was the chaos between different groups of people and involvement of various British officials in these conflicts.We're dealing with 1852, January. There were two centres of power at this point, one around Andries Pretorius and the other around Hendrick Potgieter. The main cause of conflict was Potgieter's belief that his position of Commandant-General of the Voortrekkers was a post for life. Pretorius and his adherents feared the concentration of military power in one man's hand and Potgieter's adherents believed Pretorius had an insatiable power lust. Each of these two believed they were entitled to be numero uno, Nommer een, die generaal, and each believed the other was kortbroek, not substantial enough to equal themselves. Eventually the convention was set for January 16th 1852 at Venter's Farm near the junction of the Cool Spruit, the Coal Spruit, and Sand River. Here the Boer delegates gathered, as the enigmatic forgerer Van Der Kolff fled, with Pretorius and his 300 followers. IT is with some amazement then folks, that this crucial gathering, this fundemental moment in south Africa, lasted just a day. One day — and that one day changed the history of the country.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the team news ahead of Ireland's final outing in WXV1. We hear from Brian O'Driscoll ahead of Saturday's huge interpro at Croke Park, and the figure Leinster could pocket from it. Richie talks to Simon Easterby and James Culhane after an impressive Emerging Ireland trip to Bloemfontein. And Premiership bosses pour cold water on URC merger talk, as Wasps angle for a way back into the English game.

First off, some news! This series has been selected as one of the five finalists for the DStv Content Creators podcast of the year awards which is taking place on October 12th 2024. I feel completely out of place folks - a kind of imposter syndrome - finalists include the hugely successful series called True Crime South Africa with the glorious Nicole Engelbrecht and African Story Magic with magnificent Gcina Mhlophe. I had to rub my eyes when I received the email and immediately thought it was a nasty bit of malware that had crept into my system — but after a follow up call from the organisers I realised it was true. So thanks to all of my listeners for helping promote this podcast series — I owe you all a great deal. With that shameless self promotion out of the way, back to the real world of South Africa mid-19th Century. Momentous moves were afoot. The vicious 8th Frontier war was still bubbling away in the eastern Cape as Andries Stockenstrom set off from his farm under the Amatholas. The old man of the frontier had decided to travel to London to lobby politicians there and the ruling elite concerning self-government for South Africa. Journalist John Fairbairn joined him in the mission. For the settlers back on the frontier, Stockenstrom was both loved and hated. He was respected as an elder who had survived all the frontier Wars, but now colonists were taking aim at the former administrator of the Albany region, and the Zuurveld. Every single farm had been burned down by the amaXhosa in the district, but they'd left Stockenstrom's home alone. The amaNqgika people were faithfully adhering to their old chief's promise to Stockenstrom that he would not be attacked — even in the throes of this dreadful war. Stockenstrom had set off at the end of 1851, but when he returned from his political mission, he was greeted by a smouldering wreck that used to be his magnificent home on his farm called Maasstrom. It was a shock from which he did not recover. At first he thought it was the amaXhosa who burned his home but then the truth emerged, which shocked him all the more. It was deliberately burned down by a British officer and his patrol — who had been instigated by Grahamstown Journal Editor Robert Godlonton. To the north, in the mountains along the Caledon Valley, Moshoeshoe had been building his base of power and was trying to keep out of the British way. Major Warden as you know, was based in Bloemfontein with a company of British troops, and the Major had been skirmishing with Moshoeshoe's allies along the southern flank of the Orange River, the border with British Kaffraria. While the British were being kept busy in the 8th Frontier War, Andries Pretorius had been in touch with Major Warden and with Moshoeshoe. Emissaries from Moshoeshoe had visited Pretorius a few times to ask for the Boers to join the Basotho in an uprising against the British - particularly after Warden's repeated attempts to subjugate the Basotho King. While this was going on, a separate group of Boers decided to take the matter into their own hands and rode to Thaba Bosiu, where they negotiated their own Peace Treaty with Moshoeshoe. They didn't tell Pretorius, and he was angry. Once again the fractured nature of the Voortrekkers was highlighted. Moshoeshoe realised this, but took the emissaries at face value when they said they'd avoid conflict with the Basotho and other groups. Pretorius who was in Mooi River, was angry about this matter because he had been trying to stabilise the trekker relationship with the British. Here were Vermaak and Linde doing their own thing, clearly a threat to Major Warden - so the following day — 4th September — Pretorius wrote to Warden expressing a commitment to a lasting Peace with the British.

Kyle and Wayne complete their five-part series with Tobie van der Westhuizen, from Bloemfontein, South Africa. In this episode, they... The post This Changes Everything Part 5 (#963) first appeared on The God Journey.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you details of Emerging Ireland's 36-24 win over the Pumas in Bloemfontein, and we get immediate reaction from head coach Simon Easterby.We check in with Linda Djougang ahead of Ireland's second WXV outing in Langley. Michael Cheika's received a ban from the RFU, and Leicester are not happy. And Agustin Creevy proves you're never too old for a change of scenery.

Kyle and Wayne continue their conversation with Tobie van der Westhuizen, from Bloemfontein, South Africa. This week they focus on... The post This Changes Everything Part 4 (#961) first appeared on The God Journey.

Kyle and Wayne continue to probe through the mind and heart of Tobie van der Westhuizen, from Bloemfontein, South Africa,... The post This Changes Everything Part 3 (#960) first appeared on The God Journey.

Kyle and Wayne continue to probe through the mind and heart of Tobie van der Westhuizen, from Bloemfontein, South Africa,... The post This Changes Everything Part 2 (#959) first appeared on The God Journey.

As we wrap up Women's Month, we're excited to have a conversation with an inspiring woman making waves in Bloemfontein. Mags Shivanda, born in Thaba Nchi, is the powerhouse behind DigitalShero (PTY) LTD, a 100% Black Female-owned digital media group she founded in 2015. Through DigitalShero, she launched the #BGR Foundation, which has mentored and inspired countless men and women in Bloemfontein and beyond. Today, Mags joins us to share more about the incredible work of Bloem Girls/Guys Rock and how it's changing lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In hierdie episode gesels Ernst en Louis oor die nuwe privaat brandweer wat AfriForum in Bloemfontein gestig het, asook Media24 se beweerde planne om die druk van Beeld en Rapport stop te sit.Die Podlitiek-span bestaan uit Ernst van Zyl, Louis Boshoff, Arno Roodt en Frederik van Dyk.

This is episode 174. First off, a big thank you to all the folks who've supported me and for sharing so many personal stories of your ancestry. Particularly Jane who is a font of knowledge about the Williams family, and John who's been communicating about the Transkei. Please also sign up for the weekly newsletter by heading off to desmondlatham.blog - you can also email me from that site. When we left off episode 173, King Mswati the first was running out of patience with his elder brother Somcuba. Voortrekker leader Hendrick Potgieter had also left the area north of the Swazi territory, settling in the Zoutpansberg. It was his last trek. He'd signed a treaty with Bapedi chief Sekwati, which had precluded any proper agreement with the other Voortrekkers around Lydenburg. With Potgieter gone, however, things were about to change. We need to swing back across the vast land to the region south of the Vaal River because dramatic events were taking place in 1848 - clashes between the British empire and the trekkers. By now, the area between the Orange and the Vaal was an imbroglio, elements of every type of society that existed in southern Africa for millennia could be found scattered across the region. Hunters and gatherers, pastoralists, farmers, San, Khoesan, Khoekhoe, BaSotho, Afrikaners, Boers, mixed race Griqua and Koranna, and British settlers could be found here. In some cases different combinations of these peoples lived together cheek by jowel, many combinations of cultures, languages and political systems. A classic frontier situation, with intermingling and very little structured relationship charactersing the mingling. Some of the San, Khoekhoe and even Basotho were now incorporated as servants of the Boers, and each of those groups were divided into rival political commuties. Bands of San still hunted through this area, despite attempts to eradicate them, a kind of ethnic cleansing you've heard about. In the south east, on either side of the Caledon River, rival Sotho states existed, under Moshoeshoe, Moletsane, Sikonyela, and Moroka — each of these had their own tame missionary living alongside as an insurance policy against each other and the British and Boers. By 1848 the new Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith, had begun to experiment with British expansionism that he'd observed in India, assuming British culture and traditions, the empire's institutions, were superior to all other. Smith loved to oversimplify complex problems, and the made him a natural expansionist and a man likely to make big mistakes. Within two months of arriving in Cape Town in December 1847, he had extended the frontiers of the Cape Colony to the Orange River in the arid north west of the Cape. This was between the area known as Ramah and the Atlantic Ocean. He'd annexed the land between the Keiskamma River and the Kraai River Basin in the east, booted out the amaXhosa, and annexed two contiguous areas as seperate British colonies — British Caffraria between the Keiskamma and the Kei River, and a second area that became known as the Orange River Sovereignty between the Orange and Vaal Rivers. Pretorius was so incensed that he began fanning the flames of anti-British opposition, or probably to be more accurate, anti-Smith opposition. This resentment boiled over in July 1848 when Pretorius with commandants Stander, Kock and Mocke led a powerful force of 200 Transvalers and about 800 Free Staters along with a 3 pounder artillery gun into Bloemfontein. The preamble to the Battle of Boomplaats had begun.