Prof Ian van der Waag and Dr Antonio Garcia, speaking from Abu Dhabi and Glasgow respectively on "New perspectives on South Africa's First World War" held the audience spellbound, not a single listener failing to join for the second session.
The passing of time allowed a more dispassionate review of what happened in a countrywhich was still not united across the English- and Afrikaans-speaking white populations, bearing in mind that Union in 1910 was not even a decade after the end of the Anglo-Boer War. The stirrings of black independence were germinating in the Free State (the ANC was founded there in 1913); and there were lingering loyalties towards the Germans amongst some Boer sectors.
Speaking alternately on various aspects the two presented an extremely detailed and comprehensive overview of developments and constraints, to which Smuts and Botha,being very different individuals, sometimes took alternate or even opposing actions.
Their presentation was detailed and fascinating, but ran over the end of the second ZOOM session, resulting in the audience being unable to pose questions, which appear to have been potentially numerous from the feedback received by the Marshes.
The talk was based on their recently published book, Botha, Smuts and the First World War, which was published in South Africa by Jonathan Ball Publishers in July 2024.
The recordings of the lecture are to be found on the website in the Video Library as usual.
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS - ZOOMINARS
Eastern Cape Branch (SAMHSEC) Zoominars
Monday 12th August 2024 at 19h30 and then at 20h15:
Speaker: Barbara Anne Kinghorn
Subject: Jeanne D'Arc: the French girl soldier of the Hundred Years' War.
Johannesburg
Thursday 15th August 2024 at 19h30 and then 20h15
Speaker: Dr Brian Austin
Subject: "Signalling in Southern Africa"
"The first use of wireless in warfare was during the Anglo-Boer War. And the Boers so nearly had it too. Then, in 1923, the SA Corps of Signals came into being and Marconi's sparks were replaced
by the high-tech of the time. When sanctions hit hard in the 1970s, world-beating South African-manufactured equipment took over. And the Rhodesian Corps of Signals used it too. The men who
made it all happen will feature prominently in this talk".
SAMHSEC RPC
The RPC (Request the Pleasure of your Company) Zoominar will be held on
Monday 26 August 2024 at 19h30 and then 20h15.
Speakers and topics to be confirmed by invitations.
Condolences
The Society extends sincere condolences to the families and friends of Gavin Moore, long time auditor of the Society, who passed away in May 2024, and especially to members Robin Smith (KZN) and Mac Alexander (SEC) in the loss of their wives in June and July respectively.
KwaZulu-Natal Branch Meetings
Next Meeting - Sat 17th August 2024 at 9-30am
The KZN Branch of SAMHS meeting for August will be the Ken Gillings Memorial Lecture, together with the SA National Society who are responsible for the organisation and catering.
Venue: Our usual venue at St Cyprian's Church Hall. There will be no DDH talk.
SPEAKER: Professor Andre Wessels, Senior Professor (Emeritus) and Research Fellow, Department of History, University of the Free State
LECTURE TOPIC: Commemorating a bloody war: Looking back (and ahead) on the eve of the 125-year anniversary of the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902.
For catering purposes there is a nominal charge (reduced for SANS, SAMHS and Gunners) and those attending should RSVP to meboyes@saol.com by 14th AUGUST. Looking forward to a good turnout from SAMHS!
Kathy Munro forwarded the following invitation:
HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
23rd ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM 22-24 OCT 2024
The Symposium will be held from 22nd to 24th October 2024 at The Clarens Golf & Leisure Estate in association with Clarens Heritage Association (CHA).
There is a call for papers covering a large spread of topics including protecting heritage assets; Archaeology, including structures, infrastructure or monuments; Dark heritage, including tragedy, battlefields and concentration camps and Historic heritage
Interested members please contact
Symposium Chair Andre Botha ajbotha1953@gmail.com 0828209572
CHA President Debra Stewart clarensheritageassociation@gmail.com 0837658901
Of possible specific interest - ANGLO BOER WAR TOUR (Own
transport)
Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024 Time: 12:00 16:30
Duration: 4H30
Start: Clarens Town square Ends: Mile High Vineyard
Presenters: Dr Gideon Ellis & Trish Critchley
This self-drive guided tour will sta rt at the Clarens Town Square Basotho War Memorial in honour of the burghers who died on 26 September 1865 during the Siege of Naauwpoort.
On our way to Surrender Hill, declared as a national monument, we will pass Mushroom Rock on the farm Clifton, viewed from St Fort.
Our final destination will be the Mile High Vineyard and the lovely restored Rose House, home of Bald Ibis wines. This vineyard at an altitude of 1700 metres is most likely the highest producing vineyard in South Africa.
Historic Documentary Film Society documentary,
'Anne Frank:Parallel Stories'
On August 4th, 1944 Anne Frank whose diary represents 'the voice' of The Shoah (Holocaust) was deported with her family and occupants of their 'hiding place' during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam.
Fortunately for posterity when the secret annexe was ransacked, Anne's diary was left. Otto Frank's secretary, Miep Gies who protected the family's safety, was able to retrieve this precious document, kept until after the war.
Otto Frank (Anne's father) the only survivor would in time arrange the publication of the diary. 'Lest the world forgets'.
Eighty Years later, Anne's legacy lives on through five survivors who were Anne's age when they were sent to the camps.
The Historic Film Society will screen the recent, highly ranked documentary, 'Anne Frank:Parallel Stories' on
Wednesday, August 14th at 09:30/10:00.
Narrated by Dame Helen Mirren who vividly retraces aspects of Anne Frank's diary from 'the hiding place'.
PLEASE NOTE NEW SCREENING VENUE: BEIT (TEMPLE) EMANUEL
AUDITORIUM 38 OXFORD ROAD, PARKTOWN. ENTRANCE 3RD AVENUE.
Ample Secure Parking. R130 includes lavish tea.
Bookings/Info 0826033214 Email: selwynklass@gmail.com
RECENT VIDEO RECORDINGS
Members who do not 'attend' the ZOOM lectures hosted by the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg branches, might be pleasantly surprised by visiting the Video Library especially with some recent noteworthy additions:
Members of all Branches are always Welcome to Attend all ZOOM Meetings
Time to join the Zoominars
For those members still anxious about Zoom lectures, please give them a try! Go onto the internet and open your web browser at www.zoom.us . If using a cellphone visit the app store. Once you have the app on your device - computer or cellphone - choose to join a meeting. Either use the link which is provided in the invitation or type in the meeting code and then the password, also from the invitation, as requested. There are usually two Zoom sessions per evening.
You do NOT need to have a camera - unless you are the speaker or a chairman - although it is always interesting to match faces to voices. As in the auditorium, you do not HAVE to ask the speaker any questions, but there are ways in which you can draw the chair's attention so you can do so.
BRANCH CONTACT DETAILS
Eastern Cape details contact Malcolm Kinghorn 041-373-4469 culturev@lantic.net
Gauteng details contact Joan Marsh 010-237-0676 joan@rfidradar.com
KwaZulu-Natal details contact Prof Phil Everitt 084-437-1636 everitt@iafrica.com
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