Browsing by Author "Strydom, Cornelia Nikke"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Kinders in die Anglo-Boereoorlog (1899-1902) konsentrasiekampe : ‘n ondersoek na die moontlike invloed van voeding en belewenis
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12) Strydom, Cornelia Nikke; Grundlingh, Albert M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of History.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis considers the possible long-term effects on children in concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (Oct 1899- May 1902). Thousands of children were directly involved: some voluntarily as “Penkoppe” (under-age soldiers); others as prisoners in concentration camps. All wars involve trauma. For children during the Anglo-Boer War it also meant being homeless due to the British “Scorched Earth” campaign. Sociologist Liz Stanley, estimates that 100 000-120 000 people were removed forcibly from their homes before it was destroyed by fire, with the population moved to concentration camps.² The sudden and forced onset of the encampment caused several logistical problems with food, shortages of tents and health, especially during the initial stages of the campaign. The era represented an increasing emphasis on formal military structures and thus exaggerated or over emphasized military show during the moving of prisoners to the camps. British officers regarded the Boers as uneducated and it was evident in their treatment of the latter. This study focuses on children. Children differ from adults in the sense that they are still developing, and do not possess all the protective mechanisms to handle all mental and physical stressors. Normal development requires that certain psychological mechanisms develop during specific time windows. If they do not develop normally, permanent damage occurs. High mortality, loss of home and toys and separation from a parent or parents can have long-term consequences. Incorrect or incomplete nutrition, especially during the critical first thousand days (conception to two years old) similarly could cause permanent irreversible effects. Malnutrition causes long-term effects up to the first five years of growth. This study finds that during their stay in camps, Boer children were affected negatively in several ways, and as a large part of the children from the population were affected by camp stays, the total effect on the Republics was likely significant.