South African War

The South African War is one of many names given to the war between the forces of the British Empire and the two independent Boer Republics (the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State).

Referred to as South African War in many British publications and others outside South Africa, as "La Guerre_des_Boers" in French and as the Anglo-Boer War , among most South Africans (Afrikaans: the Anglo-Boereoorlog).

However it is also commonly referred to simply as the Boer War in English and die Boere-oorlog in Afrikaans. Some people refer to it as Die Engelse oorlog ("The English War") or simply "die Vryheidsoorlog" ("war of freedom"). It is at times also referred to as De Tweede Boerenoorlog (in Dutch) and Die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog or Die Tweede Boere-oorlog (in Afrikaans).

Actually of course this particular reference is usually to what is known as the second South African War.

The First Boer War

The first such conflict - between Britain, which had annexed the Transvaal Republic and the burghers of that republic, is referred to as the First Transvaal War of Independence, (the Eerste Vryheidsoorlog in Afrikaans, or the First Anglo-Boer War) took place between 16 December 1880 and 23 March 1881).

The Second Boer War

The second conflict between Britain and the South African republics took place between 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902. The protracted war had a great impact on the future of warfare worldwide, was a traumatic experience for many Britons, but most importantly for this publication has been its deep and long-term impact on the psyche of both the South African nation (in all its manifestions) and the British nation. This was true of all the citizens (of all races, creeds and convictions) in the country at the time and thereafter. However, it was particularly so for those called the "Afrikaners" and the Black population.

The South African War as a theme in popular culture and the arts

As a result of its socio-political, economic and cultural impact, the war ultimately also had a huge influence on the artistic output of the South African and British writers, dramatists, musicians, visual artists etc. in the 20th and early 21st centuries. A number of works on the conflict are also to be found in French, Dutch and German literature and other art forms.

(TH)