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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA-IMMIGRANTS-BRITISH > 2002-10 > 1036127056


From: Delia Robertson <>
Subject: RE: [ZA-IB] 1820 Settlers
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 07:06:02 +0200
In-Reply-To: <D224C0412238D311956300A0C96CBFC802A0E28D@argon.cqu.edu.au>


Hi Ellen,

I would argue that equating the 1820 settlers with the Mayflower pilgrims
is the result of the kind of one-dimensional historiography that has
traditionally characterized some South African history writing.

There was a vast difference in time (2 centuries in fact); the
circumstances were totally different - for one thing occupation had
commenced nearly two centuries earlier. There are many other differences,
including that they were brought here as part of a ruling power's political
strategy.

Without in any way diminishing the contribution of the 1820 settlers
(occupiers) and their descendants to this country - to suggest that they
and their descendants were in way superior (noble???) to any other group is
simply colouring history with a heavy dose of rose-tint.

We have had all kinds of different interest groups claiming superiority in
this country and the history writers of each have written their histories
accordingly.

As a descendant of almost all of the various groups and a fellow-student of
South African history I would argue that we better serve our interest by
adopting a much more critical approach to our studies.

All the best and thanks again for all your contributions.
Delia Robertson


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