Day Six: Feeling lonely in the Free State

Today was the first day of my trek that I felt lonely, tired, unenthusiastic, and just, bleh. I don’t know whether it’s because the two days off were too good or because I am feeling too much pressure, but it wasn't nice. Actually, no. The only part that wasn't nice was Winburg. That place just gave me the heebie geebies.

Winburg is a small town about 110 kms from Bloemfontein. It was important for my journey because this is where all the Voortrekkers met before splitting the land North of the Orange River between the five leaders (Gert Maritz, Louis Trichardt, Hendrik Potgieter, Pieter Uys and Pieter Retief). It is also where the Voortrekker Monument was originally meant to be built before it was ‘given’ to Pretoria. Lucky for me, a second monument was built in Winburg in commemoration of the Voortrekkers.

The symbolism of the monument is explained on a plaque inside: “The five columns symbolise the treks of the above-mentioned leaders. The lines extending skywards suggest the drive, struggle and restlessness of the Trek. The grouping symbolises the law-abiding community as well as the wagon laager and the concave shape depicts the wagon. The upward sweeping horns suggest not only the ox but the surge forward and upwards towards the higher ideals of independence and freedom.

The water bowl, linking the columns with five chutes, symbolises the faith of the Trekkers, and the outward flow of the water the spreading of the Christian religion and civilisation. Through the opening in the water bowl light from above falls on the bronze plaque in the courtyard, symbolic of the divine light.”

Pretty interesting, right? So why did this place make me feel weird? Honestly, I think it’s because the eyes of the people that I spoke to were just too blue to be normal. Like a see-through blue. It was creepy. And Natasha from the Winburg Guesthouse, who I chatted to in the hopes of learning something Trek-wise, freaked me out by telling me how she really doesn't enjoy living there. It’s really a case of ‘klein-dorpie syndroom’ (small town syndrome) and if you look out your window the whole town will know because that’s how small it is. It sounds silly, but my instinct told me ‘no ways dude, get out of here.’

So I did. And now I am in a weird BnB in Bethlehem praying for tomorrow. Okay, it’s not that bad. It’s just not as great as the previous few days. Luckily a wise and very handsome man said to me that it can’t always be awesome because then there would be no balance. Thank you Keenman. 

Voortrekker Monument, Winburg, Free State. 2013.

Voortrekker Monument, Winburg, Free State. 2013.

Looking up from inside the Voortrekker Monument, Winburg, Free State. 2013.

Retief's column of the Voortrekker Monument, Winburg, Free State. 2013.

Voortrekker Street, Winburg, Free State. 2013.

The Great Trek: 175 years later

TASK: Write a 5 000 word non-fiction article

IDEA: Redo the Great Trek

AIM: Find some resemblance of an answer to the question: Who am I?

MISSION: 1175 KM (roughly)

175 years ago over 15 000 semi-nomadic boers packed their jawbone-shaped ox-wagons and headed for the unknown- the interiors of Southern Africa. Similar to these determined trekkers who left their homes in search of new life, I am leaving my home in search of a new beginning.

Following voortrekker leader Piet Retief's route as closely as possible, I will embark from Grahamstown on the 14th of August 2013 (tomorrow) and head for Pietermaritzburg. Driving in my blue Hyundai Getz, Frankie (named after 'ol blue eyes, Frank Sinatra), I will explore the rural Eastern Cape, the Orange Free State, and end my trek in the fertile land of KwaZulu-Natal.

I hope to get some clarity on where I stand on my identity as an Afrikaner and I not only want to try and answer the question, 'who am I' but also, 'am I or am I not an Afrikaner.' I hope that by travelling in the footsteps of my ancestors the answers to these questions will become more clear. My only plan is to get from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg in 10 to 12 days. I have not booked any accommodation, and I have no idea what awaits me. Just like my ancestors did not know what awaited them all those years ago.

This project is part of an assignment for my Writing and Editing Course in which I have to write a 5 000 word non-fiction article on any topic of my choice (this is my fourth and final year as a Journalism student at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape). This blog is a digital diary of my trek- what I see, what I discover, what I lose, what I gain, what I hope for, and what I fear.

If you have any comments, advice, or ideas that you would like to share, check the Contact page.