the monitor

The Boers Retreat

After Scholtz's exhausted forces withdrew from Dimawe at sundown on Monday, August 30, 1852, Sechele collected his mephato together and ordered them to regroup at the historic Bakwena stronghold of Dithubaruba.

Temporarily abandoned by his BagaMmanaana and Bangwaketse allies the Mokwena's position must have initially appeared desperate. From their later reports it is clear that in the immediate aftermath of the battle both he and Scholtz were painfully aware of their losses, but uncertain of the status of their opponent's forces.

On August 31, 1852, Scholtz dispatched scouting parties to probe the now divided enemies’ strength and positions. It was during this period that his men broke into Livingstone's unoccupied Kolobeng mission where they reported: "We found several half-finished guns and a gunmaker's shop with an abundance of tools. We here found more guns and tools than Bibles, so that the place had more the appearance of a gunmaker's shop than a mission station, and more a smuggling shop than a school place." Meanwhile, Kgosi Senthufe had regrouped the Bangwaketse at Kanye's Kgwakgwe hill, from where they successfully repulsed the Boers.

Editor's Comment
Diplomatic relations must be on equal footing

“Let us never negotiate out of fear.But let us never fear to negotiate”– John F. KennedySupport for healthcare, education, skills and infrastructure can improve lives. The reaffirmed commitment to the Mmopane–Block 8 road is welcome for the prospect of better transport links for surrounding communities.China has shown willingness to assist Botswana, and government deserves credit for securing these commitments. However, the success of our...

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