Slavery in South Africa

Throughout the history of the world slavery and racism has existed in many societies. This has held especially true in Africa and Southern Africa. Even when the self deemed "more civilized" Europeans began to settle in Africa, black men and woman continued to be treated as property and less than "white." The Khoi were a group of people that coexisted with the white settlers from the early beginning and their progress of racial conflict with the white settlers reflected the progress that was being made world wide. South Africa was hard pressed to change its values on racial equality even with the outside pressures of England and the rest of the known world.

Racism was already an issue before the Dutch East India Company's settlement at the Cape Colony became a reality. Previous prejudicious learned from racism overseas back in Europe was already embedded into the minds of the white settlers before they ever reached Africa. When they encountered tribesmen of the Khoi their initial instincts told them that they were superior to these Africans. They were white, and these African tribesmen were black, so in the European's minds they were inferior. On the other hand, the Khoi had never encountered a racist environment before

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The Dutch East India company planned on acquiring meat from the Khoi. The Khoi were organized into tribes each led by their own Chieftain.

There were limited attempts by the Dutch East India Company to relieve racial tensions in the settlements stemming from pressure from missionaries and the outside world. There had been so many slaves and Khoi tribesmen available at cheap to no cost. Cattle were central to the Khoi lifestyle.

Trade played a large role in the Khoi subordination to the European settlers. This created a shortage of cheap labor that brought upon new policy in the colony. In order to accomplish this they made a deal with the San natives on the frontier who had for years been raiding the white settlers.

Even though they were now declared free and equal to the whites, many racial boundaries still existed in the South African society. 37)" A snowball effect started to gain ground as the conflict increased in the areas. It was not understood why they should now be content with giving their scarce cattle to black people just to make peace. Governor Caledon made a series of changes in 1809, "All chieftaincies previously granted by staffs of office were abolished. 48, Omer-Cooper)" The continued pressure applied by the missionaries to take action finally payed off with Ordinance no. There had not been much conflict yet between races.

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Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)

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