The Bahurutshe of the Marico (Ramotshere Moiloa district): struggle against white domination, 1852-1916

The early history of the Bahurutshe cannot be determined without using a combination of oral tradition, archaeological evidence and written documentation. The Sotho-Tswana moved into the Trans-Vaal area in three big migration waves, probably between 1300 and 1500. The Bahurutshe-Bakwena grouping was the last and also most significant migration wave. They initially settled in the present Rustenburg-Brits vicinity. By approximately 1450/80 the Bahurutshe separated from the Bakwena and gradually settled in the central part of the Marico district. Thus, the Bahurutshe has been living in the Marico area for about 500 years. In this article, the tense relationships between the white burghers/government and the Bahurutshe in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (1852-1899) are discussed. This era was marked by the dismantling of the Bahurutshe authority, land issues, native tax, increasing state control and native labour. After a discussion of these issues, the article focuses on the participation of the Bahurutshe in the South African War (1899-1902), both on the Boer and the British side. The period of the Transvaal Crown Colony (1902-1909) was especially marred by labour issues, increased poll taxes and the controversial "dual administration". Lastly, the focus is on the influence which the Native Land Act of 1913 and the 1916 Beaumont Land Commission had on the Bahurutshe.