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

This study aims to portray the history of the Makgabeng area beginning with
the aspects of the earliest occupation of the area (which will basically form
the background) until the most recent important developments and
changes. As will be pointed out in the study, the area in many ways
represents a microcosm of the history of South Africa. This is because the
area was successively occupied by different communities in different
periods, ranging from the San, the Khoikhoi, the Bantu-speakers, the early
European travellers, the missionaries, Afrikaner farmers and British colonial
settlers. In other words, the Makgabeng area has all elements and
ingredients representative of the South African society.
The main question to be investigated is: How were identities formed in the
Makgabeng area from the earliest occupation by the San up to the present
moment? Processes of identity changes, formation and destruction resulting
from the successive occupation by various groups and interaction among
those groups will be looked into. With this successive occupation by
representatives of almost all population groups in South Africa, Makgabeng
is therefore important to any research which aims to capture the
experiences of those groups. Identities continued to change as new ones
were constructed partly because of interactions and experiences which
were constantly shared by different individuals and groups and within
groups. Another related question will be to trace the trajectory of these
changing identities in Makgabeng.
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