Jacob Benjamin Boshoff, d2e?

The Whites of Enkeldoorn 1880-1980 is a history of the families of European descent who settled in the area of Enkeldoorn (renamed Chivi) Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Author - Sarel van der Walt.

BOSHOFF Oupa and Ouma arrived approximately 1912 from Kinross, Transvaal, where he farmed on Winkelhaak. In 1910 Oupa, disheartened by droughts and other problems decided to look for pastures new and a reconnaissance trip to Rhodesia took him to the Enkeldoorn area. He was satisfied and about 26 miles South of the town Enkeldoorn, pegged a virgin farm that he called Welvaart. To quote from the memoirs of a descendent "A large pleasant farm with vales and streams and waving grasslands. Also Jackals, Wilddogs and Leopards and Black people wearing clothes of skins and armed with assegais, axes and knobkieries." There were no clearly defined farm boundaries.

Back at home he organised his move, by train, to Rhodesia. His family, wife, two sons and twin daughters and livestock being, one thousand and one hundred sheep, twelve horses, poultry and three cats. A tented wagon and cart, a full range of farm implements and provisions for the long journey. At Bulawayo the rail wagons carrying the trek were split between two trains with the family travelling on the first train. One son 14 year old Willem, got seperated from the family causing his parents serious concern while he made himself comfortable on his father's tented wagon with its feather bed and stored food, which was loaded on the second train. After two days the trains arrived at Umvuma and the trek to Welvaart started with Ouma dreading the near future. She had heard of spiders as large as field mice, snakes beyond number on trees and a multitude of biting insects.

On arrival at Welvaart tents were erected. Ouma insisted, not in the lovely shade of large trees with their rat sized spiders and snakes, but in the blistering sun on the banks of the stream. An antheap was hollowed out for baking and cooking facilities were erected. Living in the tents for the next six months was not a pleasant experience. A house had to be built, outbuildings, stables and stock pens. The nights were filled with the mourn full cries of Jackals.

The homestead was built of granite blocks cut to shape on the farm. The builder was Oom Alec Heyns. The sheep were constantly attacked by hungry wild-dogs that had to be chased way. Sharp grass seeds got tangled in the wool piercing the skins. Bluetongue and other diseases caused heavy losses and wagon loads of carcases had to be moved away and buried. Little more than one hundred survived. In spite of devoted care, horses died of the dreaded horse sickness with only a few surviving. The beautiful cattle did well, grazing was good but the cattle had to be herded and kraaled for the night. Leopards were a pest and the occasional lion was not unknown. Manure from the kraal was a good fertiliser for maize and wheat.

Oupa had brought sufficient capital, such as coins, with him to carry him through the developing years. He kept his money in bags in a strong, securely locked box in a corner of the front room. There were several Kruger-pound gold coins. He was a quiet man with strong religious beliefs and evening home services were the routine. Children were then expected to repeat parts of the lesson. Sundays were celebrated by special attention to details. Ouma as dressed in five or six petticoats decorated with bands of fancy lace and corsets and sitting very upright, complained of the discomfort. Daughters were dressed in their Sunday best and had ribbons in their hair. Oupa and teacher wore clean white shirts with high starched collars and ties and jackets. At 10:30 the Sunday morning service started. After the service the men would remove their jackets and with general conversation pass the time till the midday meal. On Sundays there was special attention to the laying of the table with a starched damask table-cloth and serviettes and wine glasses. Sunday was also visiting day among friends and family with guests arriving in time to share the service and the midday meal. After the meal the atmosphere among the adults was more relaxed, with the children banned from their presence.

A visit to town was always a memorable occasion. Ouma, dressed as for Sundays with in addition, hat gloves and handbag, not to forget the lovely odour of the "Oliekolonie' soaked hanky. The day started at dawn, with the four hour drive to town and another four hours return with the hooded-cart and horses being accepted as part of life. In the event of rain, side shields were used. Homesteads along the road were stopping places for a chat with friends, a refreshing beker coffee and should the friends be ready for a meal the invitation to join them, as was the custom in those days, was automatically accepted. In town Levines store was the main attraction and the permanently fixed box on the cart would be packed to the full with provisions to last till the next trip.