A PEACEFUL FARM LIFE
Some years back, in Bronkhorst farm in the area of Marble Hall. A long and giant man Called Jan Bronkhorst, living with his wife and three sons in a farm next to a road R573. Jan was ploughing maize, cotton, grain, cucumber, and sorghum amongst others. The workers in the farm, who settled in the farm and work the farm for a long time was Daniel and his family. Daniel was a man who stayed with his family in the farm premises. He was foreman in the farm for the rest of his adult life. His children were born and bred on the farm.
Mr. Bronkhorst was the man of love who was not driven by the greed but love and happiness towards Daniel and his family. Amongst Daniel extended family from his wife Meta and his brothers’ children occasionally visit the farm. Jan was welcoming and always will give Daniel`s family work to do in his farm, they were welcomed all the time. And they were treated as family too, even though during the times it was not easy for white famers to get along with black workers. but in this situation, it was different. Black kids were able to play with white farmers kids with no hustle.
The farm also supported its workers in many ways. For example, during the grain harvest, the harvesting machine would cut only the tallest grain stalks, leaving the shorter ones behind. After the main harvest was completed, Jan would allow his workers to finish harvesting, which he referred to as “cleaning the fields.” This meant they could collect the leftover grain for their own benefit.
The workers would gather the shorter grain stalks and lay them out on the roofs of their houses to dry. Once dried, they would separate the grain from the stalks and collect it in baskets. They would then grind the grain into flour to bake bread for their own consumption, not for sale.
Jan would often visit to see how this process was going, and he was always pleased to see that his farm provided support beyond its primary purpose.
Daniel lived on the farm with his sister-in -law Paulina and her younger brother Ntheno. Paulina, along with her sister Meta, worked in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Bronkhorst, providing essential support and care. Ntheno, on the other hand, served as the deputy foreman, assisting his brother-in-law, Daniel. He also operated the tractor, ploughed the fields, and sprayed for weeds and pests.
Daniel’s eldest son was responsible for driving a large truck, affectionately called “Motsololo” by the workers. This truck was used to transport cattle to and from the farm and the “Witesrhoek” grazing farm, located on the southern side of Marble Hall towards Verena. It was also used to collect day workers from neighboring villages such as Tafelkop, Leufontein, Eenkantan, and many other villages along the banks of the Olifants River.
Paulina and Ntheno’s hard work and dedication were vital to the farm’s success. Their efforts, along with those of the entire family, helped maintain the farm’s productivity and fostered a strong sense of community and cooperation.
The workers’ community often collaborated with workers from neighboring farms, which were known by unique names such as “Twoboy,” “Mantefu,” “Ditsebe,” “Monwana,” and the dairy farm at “Khorwane,” “Sebalabala,” and “Senyelane.” These names were given to the farm owners by their workers, not as insults, but as a significant way of identifying them. The names were often based on the owner’s appearance or common phrases they used with their workers.
For example, Mr. Jan Bronkhorst was affectionately called “Mokotama” by his workers. These names, spoken in Northern Sotho, served as a meaningful way for the workers to refer to their employers, fostering a sense of familiarity and community.
Among the farmers, the Bronkhorst family was known for their kindness and peaceful nature. They treated their workers with respect and received the same in return. Jan Bronkhorst’s three sons were lovingly cared for by Paulina and her sister from birth until they graduated from Hoërskool Ben Viljoen. Daniel’s family played a crucial role in looking after the Bronkhorst family and ensuring the smooth running of the farm.
The Bronkhorst family and their workers shared a deep bond, often praying together for the continued well-being and care they received. Daniel, a respected priest at the Zion Christian Church in Madikoti, was central to this spiritual connection.
Jan Bronkhorst also valued education and made sure that Daniel’s family members had the opportunity to study. Many children from the farm attended Dumela Primary School, a government-authorized institution in the Marble Hall farm area. This school became a cornerstone for the education of the farm workers’ children, ensuring they had the chance to learn and grow.
The Bronkhorst family’s commitment to their workers and the harmonious environment they fostered made their farm a unique and cherished place in the community.
One day, on December 16th, known as Dingaan’s Day (now called the Day of Reconciliation), a group of white middlemen rode by Daniel’s house on various horses. This day had been a national holiday since 1910. The men were surprised to see the children and everyone else going about their day as usual. They had expected the family to run inside and hide until the group had passed.
Daniel’s family had built a value system based on good and peaceful relationships with the white farmers, so the idea of bowing to the group never crossed their minds. The children continued playing hide and seek, the women were sweeping and cleaning, and the men were gathering wood for the fire so the women could cook.
The leaders of the group paused and approached Daniel’s house, shouting in Afrikaans, “Wie is die eienaar van hierdie plek?” (Who is the master of this place?). Daniel, who was present that day, replied, “Hier is ek, wat kan ek Meneer help?” (Here I am, how can I help you, sir?).
The leader responded, “Almal moet nou lê, ons wil nie julle almal skiet nie” (Everyone must lie down now, we don’t want to shoot you all). Daniel calmly replied, “Niemand gaan geskiet word nie, ek is die eienaar van my huis, maar as die eienaar van die plaas so sê, kan ons lê, maar ek onthou jy is nie die plaas eienaar nie” (Nobody is going to be shot, I am the owner of my house, but if the owner of the farm says so, we can lie down, but I remember you are not the owner of the farm).
The leader then asked, “Wie is die eienaar?” (Who is the owner?). Daniel replied, “Meneer Bronkhorst, en hy het vir my hierdie plek gegee waar my huis gebou is” (Mr. Bronkhorst, and he gave me this place where my house is built).
The group leader then asked, “Wat is jou naam?” (What is your name?). Daniel replied, “Daniel Sebothoma.” The leader responded, “Dankie Daniel, ons sê dankie, verskoon ons vir die ongerief” (Thank you, Daniel, we thank you and apologize for the inconvenience).
The group of men, with beards on their faces and dressed like Voortrekker soldiers, passed by Daniel’s house. Some women, dressed similarly to the men, were also part of the group. They converged about 5 kilometers away at a long-corrugated iron house. There, they built a large fire, braaied, and drank while singing songs until the afternoon, around 6 o’clock.
As they passed by Daniel’s house again, they noticed no one outside and the gates were closed. Daniel, anticipating that the group’s return after consuming alcohol might lead to trouble, had wisely instructed everyone to stay inside and lock the gates. This precaution helped prevent any provocation.
What surprised the leader, and his group was the complete silence, even Daniel’s dogs were not barking. The quiet was so profound that one could hear a needle drop.
The following year, the group brought gifts for Daniel as they passed by on their way to celebrate Dingaan’s Day. Daniel and Jan continued to work together harmoniously until Jan’s last day, when he passed away peacefully by the small dam in his yard. Jan’s eldest son took over running the farm, supported by his two siblings and their mother. Daniel remained a respected figure within the family until the farm was eventually sold to a new owner.
Even today, the farm continues to produce maize and various other crops. Mr. Daniel and his wife eventually moved to Dicheung village on the northern side of Marble Hall. Both have since passed away, but they are survived by their children and grandchildren.
The author has observed that even in the post-democracy era, individuals of different races, like Daniel and Jan, can live together in peace and harmony. Their love and friendship were solid and truly remarkable.
By Dinyalo Elias Mampane