Anna Steenkamp 32

Anna Steenkamp, Retief's niece, made a statement that that slaves had been 'placed on an equal footing with Christians - and that is believed by many being the reason for the Great Trek. This view is however limited. The main reason for the Trek was Socio-political and economic.

A resonable (abbreviated history can be found here: www.voortrekker-history.co.za/early_history.php

One can say that The Great Trek was precipitated by a series of events and the fealing that "they were regarded as a subject and inferior race … [The] feeling of bitterness became so intense that about the year 1836 large numbers of individuals determined to leave forever the Colony and the homes which they had created.’

The causes of the trek were complex but can be summarised in a single sentence. The trekkers left because of a lack of land, labour and security, which they felt unable to address due to a lack of representation, giving rise to a profound sense of marginalisation. http://newhistory.co.za/part-1-chapter-3-the-great-trek-why-they-left/> http://www.klipbokkop.co.za/logisticalsupport/groot-trek-175.html

A documentary on the epic 4x4 commemorative journey was aired on KykNet. The trip could also be followed online at www.fak.org.za, www.klipbokkop.co.za, as well as on www.kyknet.co.za, www.weg.co.za, www.wegry.co.za, www.rapportinrat.co.za en www.caravansa.co.za. For more information about the commemorative 4x4 “trek”, please contact Gerhard Groenewald at info@kbkm.co.za or on tel. 082 4116998.

Anna Steenkamp, die niggie van Pieter Retief, het in 1837 die Kaapkolonie verlaat. Voor haar dood het sy ’n dagboek vir haar kinders en kleinkinders gehou waarin sy die verhaal vertel het van die verskriklike ontberings wat hulle tydens die trek beleef het. In haar wakis was ’n sakkie met akkers. Na die trek het Anna Steenkamp haar op die plaas Groenvlei, naby Lindley in die Vrystaat, gevestig. Daar het sy die sakkie akkers geplant wat vanaf die Kaapkolonie saam met haar getrek het. Twee reusebome het opgekom. Van die een boom wat omgeval het, is ’n nagmaaltafel en stoele gemaak wat vandag in een van Lindley se kerke staan. Onder die skadu van Anna se akkerboom word die Gelofte al meer as ’n 100 jaar gevier. Die plaas Groenvlei is een van die oudste plase in die Vrystaat.

http://www.afrikanergeskiedenis.co.za/groot-trek/monumente-en-erfenisterreine/anna-steenkamp-se-akkerboom-en-graf-lindley/