When the Trekboers (Boers) set out from the Netherlands they had the fortunate coincidence that many of the lands they settled in Africa had already been extensively depopulated as a result of Mfecane earlier in the century. What is Mfecane? In the first half of the nineteenth century the rise of the Zulu military kingdom under Shaka, the founder of the empire, revolutionized Nguni warfare. This led to many deaths and refugees fleeing into the mountains, clearing the way for white settlers. For more on the history of the Mfecane and its impacts, see the link below.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Mfecane
Similar to Western expansion in what is now the United States under the belief that it was Manifest Destiny, the Boers seeing such a sparsely populated land reinforced their sense of divine deliverance. Then when they battled the Zulu at Blood River in 1838 and won, it affirmed in their minds that they were indeed, “God’s Chosen People”. Following the Battle of Blood River, the Boers made a solemn covenant (agreement) with God, that, if honored, would allow them to triumph over their enemies. They also vowed to bring “civilization” to Africa in return for God’s favor and protection. From this, two Boer Republics were established. The Transvaal (South African Republic) and the Orange Free State. Although the naming of the latter was rather ironic, as slaves were owned in both. That topic however, is something we’ll save for my next textbook reading.
20th Century History 