This is a reference work that outlines the true facts of the Houdenbek story in the environment in which it takes place, the Koue Bokkeveld - free from inflected narrative within a typical ‘frontier region’. In traditional historical-scientific terms, such a region specifically has the meaning of an area where people/groups/communities/civilizations come into direct contact with each other. It has conceptual connotations of friction, conflict, clash, difference, takeover, influence, enrichment and adaptation between groups/peoples. It can also be physically aspirated due to the natural conditions of the area, which requires certain adaptations in the way of existence for survival (geographically therefore) and implies unique development modes and outcomes. The stimulus for the book was the Houdenbek story with its numerous versions over time, which takes place in such a region. The narrative has become more sophisticated over time and has been brought under ideologically inspired insights to try to activate certain reactions. This requires the reader, when reading the version, to decide: whose story is this? Galant's story? Or Hannes vd Merwe's story? This book therefore tells the story as close to the truth as possible. It faithfully extracts the events from the source documents, without ideologically biased interpretation. Historical actions and performances are reconstructed directly from the evidence provided as a check on some biased, imagined accounts in the literature of the last 45 years in particular. Not “my story”, but a testing instrument for others' accounts.
Order hard copies at: https://www.takealot.com/houdenbek-200/PLID100967265
Disclaimer: Any views expressed by individuals and organisations are their own and do not in any way represent the views of The Heritage Portal.