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The second incident happened at this place. Piet wanted to see the mighty Molopo but the road runs a few hundred meters from the river and the Botswana border.  The next thing the road turned and here is the dry riverbed 20m away and the border 60m away.  And the gate is open.  So I turned in...

That evening we had a most enjoyable night with beer and the most incredible dark night with beautiful stars.  Next morning we had a another quick stop at the Monument before we had a breakfast.  We said good bye to our new found friends.  The sand was cold this time and travelling back to the...

The Rebels stayed here at the well for the 30th of November 1914, and were finally betrayed by the two hunters.  At first light on Sunday 1 December 1914 a horse commando under the commando of Col Jordaan, a AWB Bittereinder surrounded the 80 rebels.  They also took the high ground around the...

We arrived after a 7km grueling sand slog at the little house in the sand.  Gert and his wife Jeanette opened up their hearts and their koskaste.  Just like the de Wets at Beesdam.  May they be deeply blessed.  The most friendly hospitable people.  We were treated like kings. We decided to...

As we took on the 2 spoor paadjie I contemplated taking the de Wet option.  Throw away the baggage.  Drop the bags with baggage,  tools and spare tubes behind a bush and come fetch it later with a bakkie.  But my please fell on deaf ears.  I took off and a kilometer later the track split.  I...

So the road between Piet Plessis Tosca was the same as from Stella, only worse.  We reached Tosca, feuled up and set of 15km west to the Waterbury turn-off.  But now we were in Leeuwereld.  This was 300m sand.  Not long.  Deep! By now de Wet's commando was in a battle with the cars and lost...

The de Wet Rebel commando took Piet de Wet's horses and set of on the 27th of November.  Going north to the Molopo.  But even that was 100 miles away.  With the cars and a number of loyal government horse commando's on his tail.  One of the commando's were commanded by Mentz, the brother of de...

When sitting under Pieter de Wet's tree we were waiting for Gary and Callie.  When arriving we found out that Gary became the first casualty of the sand.  After breakfast we went about 1km before Gary stopped us.  He could not go on in the sand.  His ribs were seriously damaged.  We phoned Piet...

Colonel Saker with his 170 cars from his dealership,  leave Johannesburg for the Kalahari to fight the rebels. The colonel was good with car sales and the strategy of using cars, but his tactical military application fell short.  So Gen. Coen Brits, one of Louis Botha's Boer Generals took over...

About a year into the ABW, the two general brothers de Wet, Piet and Chrisjan had a disagreement about the continuation of the war.  Piet said is futile and a waste of blood.  Chrisjan said he would fight to the bitter end.  Piet left the commando at Blesbokfontein 15km east of the current...

De Wet and his commando’s problems started on the 25th of November when they were attacked at Vleeschkraal.  They moved into the dry west country.  But also on the 25th 170 motorcars of the “Special Motor Transport Contingent” were loaded on the train at Kimberley.  As de Wet crossed the railway...

So we left our new found friends and set off west, past Migdol to Broedersput.  I drove past it.  We turned on the N12 and slept at Union Guest Farm.  Small farm but they supply wild animals for movies.  So they have buffalo, Zebra, Gemsbok and many other things.  Magda en Frikkie Jacobs.  Nice...

ROLL ON TO 23 November 1914.  Now it would not be the last gen Jan Kemp cavalry charge.  In the last days of the  Rebellion he would undertook a similar charge on Upington.  Wit similar results.  This time ABW Cape Rebel and 1914 Rebel Kmdt Albert Stadler would die.  Sad. But our little...

ROLL BACK THE CLOCK 12 YEARS TO 1902.  11 APRIL- TO BE PRECISE.  So here was the ABW getting to the close. de le Rey and the supreme commanders was at Vereeniging to talk about talks about talks.  So Gen jan Kemp was left in charge.  On 11 April 1902 Jan Kemp with a force of 700 men charged over...

From Palmietfontein we went north and then west.  Huge mielielande.  At times lots of sand.  And times the most flies I have ever seen in my life.  But for the next 2 days the general and his men moved in the same direction. just beyond the N12 Gary had his first fall.  But we continued in the...

For the next 4 hours the little group continued north until they reached a house at the farm Palmietfontein, at the start of the Klipspruit.  The house was a bit lower than the rest of the surroundings and Kmdt Mentz, the son-in-law of de Wet saw the weakness.  The group had more than 24 hours...

Now after the general and his 6 men crossed the Vaal their next target was Leeudorings.  They had to get there before day break.  They made the 20km and when they reached the little town there was again a doringdraad fence.  There was a train at the station and a few meters before the train was...

Now the trip into the Rebellie history starts at Pretoria.  With three Rebels.  Then on to Carletonville and a stop at Potch were another Johannesburg rebel joins the trek.  After Potch the small commando sets off for the Freestate.  This is the tracks of the Great Freestater.  And we must start...