Jacques

O.F. Mentzel visited the Cape Colony in the 1730s and wrote about his encounters with the Afrikaner "trekboere" (wandering cattle farmers) who lived deep in the hinterland: "The inhabitants of the country districts, the Boers, are at present mainly indigenous Afrikanders of European descent, who, since they have never left their own groove, prefer to speak about a pair of good "voor en achter" oxen that in the nick of time saved a heavily laden oxwagon from falling into a pit or sinking into a quagmire. They would rather listen to a story told by their slaves or half-bred Hottentots than to one about the Grand Escurial or the beautiful Versailles. It is amusing to hear with what an air of importance these people discuss among themselves affairs of husbandry and cattle-rearing, agriculture and hunting, each of which subjects everyone would be a Master of Arts. As soon as conversation drifts into different channels upon the appearance of a European visitor an end is put to their erudition. If one should speak of the advantages that Europe has over the African lands they are at once prone to ask why the speaker did not remain at home and enjoy these advantages. If, however, a curious European should inquire about some peculiar African features, as in farming and hunting, or with regard to the Hottentots, etc., they would be amazed at his ignorance of such common, everyday topics. In such cases they would even take pleasure in imposing upon the inquisitive stranger false reports and descriptions."