Native Races and the War

In this thoughtful examination of South Africa’s “native question,” the author gathers a chorus of voices—from British officials and missionaries to the very chiefs and leaders of the indigenous peoples—who bear witness to the lingering shadows of slavery and exploitation under colonial and Boer rule. By tracing the history of the Transvaal’s bankruptcy, its annexation, and the uneasy peace that followed, the work highlights how legal abolition of slavery in 1834 clashed with on‑the‑ground practices that still bound native laborers to hardship. The narrative makes a clear case that any lasting peace must rest on genuine justice for all races, not merely on formal statutes.

Through vivid excerpts of speeches, letters, and reports, the book reveals the contradictions of a system that proclaimed freedom while allowing individual greed to perpetuate oppression. It stresses that British authority, when faithfully applied, offers a hopeful framework for protecting native rights, even as it acknowledges the failings of certain settlers and adventurers. Readers are invited to consider how law, conscience, and international scrutiny might shape a more equitable future for South Africa’s diverse peoples.