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SOUTHREN AFRICA UNTIL
HE EARLY 1800S:
ENCOUNTERS
TRANSFORMATIONS
HYS 1512
DUE DATE :09/09/2024
, HSY1512 ASSIGNMENT 04
This assignment contributes towards your semester mark. Submit this assignment before the
closing date of: 9 September 2024
OPTION 1
Based on your reading, would you agree that European colonisation was the reason for the
destruction of the selfreliant Khoekhoe communities in the Cape between the 1650s and the
1720s? Give reasons for your answer. (40)
To address whether European colonization was the reason for the destruction of the self-reliant
Khoekhoe communities in the Cape between the 1650s and the 1720s, it is crucial to examine
the historical context and the effects of European settlement on the indigenous societies of
southern Africa.
1. European Colonization and Land Dispossession: When the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
established a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, they began a process that
would have devastating consequences for the Khoekhoe communities. The VOC's initial need
for fresh produce and livestock led them to engage in trade with the Khoekhoe. However, as
European settlement expanded, the demand for land increased, resulting in the forceful seizure
of Khoekhoe grazing lands. The Khoekhoe were traditionally a pastoralist society, relying on the
land for their cattle herding and sustenance. The loss of land severely disrupted their way of life,
limiting their ability to sustain their livelihoods and leading to the gradual erosion of their self-
reliance.
2. Impact of Diseases: European colonization also brought with it a range of diseases to which
the Khoekhoe had no immunity. Smallpox, in particular, was catastrophic, leading to several
outbreaks in the 18th century that decimated the Khoekhoe population. The first major outbreak
in 1713, for example, had a profound impact, killing many Khoekhoe and further weakening their
communities. The loss of population due to disease compounded the effects of land
dispossession, as it reduced the Khoekhoe’s capacity to resist European encroachment and
defend their territory.
3. Economic Disruption: The arrival of European settlers altered local economic dynamics. The
VOC's monopoly on trade and its focus on European agricultural practices marginalized the
Khoekhoe’s traditional economy. Europeans introduced a cash economy and imposed taxes
and fines that the Khoekhoe were often unable to pay, leading to their economic subjugation.
The introduction of European farming methods also led to overgrazing and environmental
degradation, further compromising the viability of Khoekhoe pastoralism.