Slavery was abolished in the Cape on this day in 1834. Slavery had been in existence for 176 years. Slave owners were compensated for this "loss of labour" (the audacity) but had to travel to England to collect their cheques.
Historians, writers etc note this occasion as a factor that led to the great trek. It is also one of the reasons indentured labour became a source of cheap labour (a neo-slavery of sorts) in 1860. For the Cape, Kru people were contracted from West Africa to work in the Cape.
Man, these guys thanked God when they won in 1948. Their trek was finally complete and they could enjoy what they'd lost in 1834. The link between slavery and apartheid must never be underestimated.
"We complain of the severe losses, which we have been forced to sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws, which have been enacted respecting them"- Piet Retief's words after the abolition of slavery (sahistory.org.za/dated-event/sl…)
Also, there was a transition period of about 4 years in the form of apprenticeships that formerly enslaved people had to take in order to shield former owners from the effects of not having cheap labour. These were paid apprenticeships apparently (of course a tiny income).
I don't think I can get used to the idea that slavery was abolished and it was former slave owners who received reparations, not the formerly enslaved.
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