NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2025

In November Prof Kathy Munro spoke about Kalkheuvel . . leadership, horses, ambushes and encounters in the Anglo Boer war 1900.

In June 1900 General French was sent from Johannesburg to capture Pretoria, but he was sent on a roundabout route to the west and actually eventually entered the Transvaal capital from the north. He had about 4 500 men in his force, many being cavalry, and there were heavy artillery pieces and many supply wagons accompanying him. This extended the length of the force so that when they had to go through the Kalkheuwel Pass, about ten km from Broederstroom, they were vulnerable to a surprise attack from the Boers - only about 800 men under Sarel du Toit - who had hidden themselves in the surrounding hills.

Kathy told the story in the light of a recently opened Museum, restaurant and visitor centre aimed not only at tourists but with an educational aspect to the whole development on the site of the skirmish. As current head of the Heritage Association she had been asked to provide a blue plaque for the battle of Kalkheuwel Pass - but pointed out there was already one, located at the Lion Park on the R512 road, dating back to 1969.

The site developer has erected a Museum in a "Big Blockhouse", one and a third times larger than the original Rice pattern blockhouses used by the British during the guerrilla phase of the Anglo-Boer War. He also had an original blockhouse removed from a farm, transported to his site, and re-erected half way up the Kalkheuwel Koppie. This gives spectacular views of the valley below, but can only be reached via a new mule trail - rough and reminiscent of the difficulties facing the British soldiers trying to lug their artillery up the steep Pelindada rock faces. Visitors can walk/climb even higher along this mule trail for even better views. A second blue plaque was unveiled near the site earlier this year.

The speaker showed photographs of the problems of getting guns on animal-drawn carriages across the rivers and streams; similarly mounted men in their thousands and ox-drawn wagons carrying supplies for the large force. The column would have stretched over a considerable distance making an elongated target for the Boers hiding in the Pass.

She highlighted memorials to animals, specifically horses, which worked and died in their thousands during this conflict. She pondered whether the actual action in Kalkheuwel Pass was a battle? A skirmish? While the British were only delayed for a short while, the Boers had been instructed to delay them - and this they had achieved.

Kathy's lecture is recorded in the Society's Video Library on the website.

Thursday 11th December 2025 at 19h30 and then 20h15

Speaker: Dr Anne Samson speaking from the UK
Subject: USA in African Air gallantry awards in WWI

Monday 8th December 2025 at 19h30 and then at 20h15:

Speaker Franco Cilliers
Subject: Operation Linebacker II
which was a strategic bombing campaign conducted by the United States against targets in North Vietnam from 18 to 29 December 1972 during the Vietnam War.

The next RPC (Request the Pleasure of your Company) Zoominar will be on Monday 26th January 2026. Details will be on the invitations.

Although meetings are normally the 2nd Saturday of the month this is early due to a church requirement for the hall on the 13th December.

This being the final meeting of 2025, there will as usual be only ONE presentation, as the meeting will include provision of generous snacks and the Vicar's Arms will be open for cash refreshments.

The venue is the St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking. Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car guard and gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.

Visitors are welcome and encouraged, but in order to facilitate catering please WhatsApp your intended attendance to the Chair as below.

Phil Everitt, Cell or WhatsApp: 0844371636

Single Membership R340
Family Membership R360
Discounts for members aged over 80 - contact Joan to apply.

Overseas membership US$37 available via PayPal.

If you choose to pay early please clearly mark the payment 2026

Robert Aitken from the UK asks for help from members:
My father was born in Cape Town in 1914, and on 05 June 1940 was serving in HMS Kent when she visited Durban. The ship's company paraded through the town and received an enthusiastic welcome from the citizens. I wonder if there are any photographs of the ship or the parade?
Contact Joan.

Members might be interested to note that this book is now available. It is lavishly illustrated with photos that have been coloured and follows on the author Tinus Le Roux's Volume I titled "Conventional War 1899-1900", (2022). It is published by Protea Book House, Pretoria and is available separately in English and in Afrikaans. He bought his copy at Exclusive Books, Cresta. .

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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