Did the British used to rule South Africa centuries ago?
Yes. There wasn't a South Africa (SA) then as we know it today, it was four small republics or colonies that subsequently consolidated into the Republic of SA. The British conquered the Cape Colony to deny the India-via- Cape sea route to the French when the two were at war, and then muscled in on the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State when diamonds and gold were discovered.The British are not fondly remembered in SA. They were surprised by the ragtag Boer (SA) army' ability to tackle the mighty British army. After three long years (Britain thought the war would last weeks) of dogged resistance by the Boers the British resorted to burning the Boer farms and imprisoning women & children in concentration camps, a British invention. The British inflicted about 7 000 battlefield casualties upon their greatly outnumbered and outgunned foe.When they stooped to concentration camp tactics they managed to kill 26 000 women and children.This “worked” inasmuch as it forced a Boer surrender but one has to be more than a little perverse to call this a “victory”.To this day the Afrikaner (Boer) people can't stand the British. (I live in SA but I'm not Afrikaner/Boer; I just resent the injustice of the arrogant British.)
Do white people from South Africa identify as African?
"Homeland" by Michelle Frost:Within my soul, within my mind,There lies a place I cannot find.Home of my heart. Land of my birth.Smoke-coloured stone and flame-coloured earth.Electric skies. Shivering heat.Blood-red clay beneath my feet.At night when finally alone,I close my eyes - and I am home.I kneel and touch the blood-warm sand And feel the pulse beneath my handOf an ancient life too old to name,In an ancient land too wild to tame.How can I show you what I feel?How can I make this essence real?I search for words in dumb frustrationTo try and form some explanation,But how can heart and soul be caughtIn one-dimensional written thought?If love and longing are a "fire"And man "consumed" by his desire,Then this love is no simple flameThat mortal thought can hold or tame.As deep within the earth's own coreThe love of home burns evermore.But what is home? I hear them say,This never was yours anyway.You have no birthright to this place,Descendant from another race.An immigrant? A pioneer?You are no longer welcome here.Whoever said that love made sense?"I love" is an "imperfect" tense.To love in vain has been man's fateFrom history to present date.I have no grounds for dispensation,I know I have no home or nation.For just one moment in the nightI am complete, my soul takes flight.For just one moment.... then it's goneand I am once again undone.Never complete. Never whole.White Skin and an African soul.