The Trek Begins

Eventually, one Hendrik Potgieter decided it was time for action. He and several other families decided it was time to pack wagons, sell farms and write letters to family. The Great Trek was to start with just a few families moving out on their own, only later to rendezvous.

Before this was to happen however, Potgieter decided to send out two parties of voorste mense (people in front) whose job it was to scout for suitable land and make contact with the Portuguese in either Delagoa Bay or Inhambane. To command the two parties he chose his cousin Johannes van Rensburg and one Louis Tregardt, a neighbour.

Next . . .