Mission To Kgwakgwe (III)

Barends’ Griqua were, like the Batswana, ultimately destined to number amongst imperialism’s victims rather than agents. Their early interface with the imperial order was, however, reflected in Barends title of “Kaptyn”, which was the product of an 1813 initiative by the Cape Colony Governor to formally recognise him, along with his cousin Adam Kok II, as principal Griqua leaders north of the Colony’s Gariep River boundary, in the process bestowing on them the honorary militia ranks of captain.

Beyond its underlying material circumstance, Moffat’s arrival was also a spiritually significant milestone. Notwithstanding the previous 1808 visit of the Rev. Anderson, it was Moffat who truly opened the door to the Christian gospel in Botswana. This is not to say that the Bangwaketse were entirely receptive to his teaching.