Stellaland

Stellaland was a short-lived Boer republic from 1882 until 1885, located in an area of Bechuanaland, west of the then South African Republic.

History

The republic was formally created on 26 July 1882 by David Massouw and 400 followers, under the leadership of Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk (1849-1896). The town of Vryburg was founded and declared its capital. On 7 August 1883 it united with the state of Goshen to form the "United States of Stellaland".

However, in 1885 the British sent in a force under Sir Charles Warren, who subsequently abolished the republic on 30 September and re-incorporated its territory into British Bechuanaland.

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The far-right political party, the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging have recently been lobbying for the area along with Goosen to become an independent Boer republic. According to party leader, Eugène Terre'Blanche the Boers have contracts conferring ownership of the area and will take their case to The Hague if necessary.

ee also

* Postage stamps and postal history of Stellaland Republic