Microsoft Word - PhD Thesis Final.pdf - University of Limpopo ...

Boer triumph on the north-eastern side of the Makgabeng mountains, their
political identity was once more enforced upon communities in that area, as
they began to enforce their laws. With the forceful defeat of the Bahananwa
tribal political system, and the voluntary alliance of the Matlala, the entire
Makgabeng area became under the dominant political system of the ZAR
Boers. The laws and the new policies which the new rulers enforced, led to
the creation of new political identities, in which communities were expected
to become Transvaal subjects.
The new triumphant Boer authorities over the Transvaal enforced various
policies, laws and regulations regarding taxation, land and justice
administration upon the subjugated communities. Land became an
important tool in weakening and controlling the subjugated communities.
Land dispossession disarmed local communities and they became helpless
in the face of the dominant colonial settlers. After the 1894 war, large tracts
of land were divided among the victors, while the victims were lumped
together on designated locations where they were kept under surveillance.
The close of the 19 th century saw the consolidation of the Boer political
power, not only around the Makgabeng area, but in the entire Transvaal
colony. However, the situation was disrupted by the renewed tensions
between the Boers and the British which resulted in the 1899 South African
War. It was during this war that the 1894 Bahananwa war prisoners,
including Ratšhatšha, were released. Kgoši Malebogo returned to rule his
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