Josias Martin Hoffman, b1c2d7e2

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.

HOFFMAN Josias Hoffnan (Jnr) was by himself for 45 days, on his father's farm Geluksverwacht, looking after the Hoffman and Louw de Klerk cattle. Frequently flat on his back for several days with malaria and the cattle attacked by lions and other predators. People passed by on their way back to their own farms and left carcasses of cattle that died of rinderpest on the farm, with the result that the Hoffman and de Klerk cattle were infected. Of a total 230, only 8 survived.

Josias Martin was the eldest son of J.P. Hoffman, President of Orange Free State. Josias married his first cousin Susanna Alida Hoffman, daughter of J.J. Hoffman.

In 1891 the Hoffman family group, living near Potchefstroom, Transvaal sent two members Louw Hoffman and Frans Botha, to inspect the region near Fort Charter and if satisfied, to peg twenty-four farms to be occupied by the group. They liked the area alongside the Umniati river near the Manesi hills and after pegging the farms along both banks of the river, returned to Pochefstroom where their report was favourable.

The family group, under Josias Martin Hoffman, travelled by ox-wagon. They departed from Wolmaransstad near Potchefstroom on 13 June 1893. They arrived at Kudushoek (renamed Pennyfather) sixteen and half months later, on 1 November 1894. For more details read the Hoffman Trek.

Josef Adlam and family had arrived in the district two months before them, the only other near neighbours were the Potgieter family who had arrived in 1891.

On the first night after their arrival a lion killed two cattle. It happened to be the first loss to lions throughout their trek. Two days later it was shot. The brothers Josias and Danie, on horseback, were surprised by a charge but the lion stopped a few yards from them when the dogs attacked the lion with the Hoffmans watching. The brothers Potgieter, their new neighbours arrived on foot and immediately took steps to kill the lion. David Potgieter shot it through the ribs but it continued to attack and was on the point of jumping at Josias when his shot in the head dropped it. The first of many lions he killed.

In addition to the lions, their livestock as well as the humans were under constant threat of attack by leopards, hyenas and wild-dogs. On one occasion Josias (Jnr) and Louw Hoffman came across about 30 wild-dogs that started circling round them prior to the attack. The pack dispersed only after six had been shot.

On occasion all seven members of the family were down, seriously ill with malaria and unable to help each other or prepare meals. They shared many other problems with their neighbours as detailed in the varios chapters dealing with specific matters.

It is on record that in spite of the difficulties, the Hoffmans were a cheerful family and as was the case with their forebears during the Great (Afrikaner) Trek, each member had a bible and song book and there were regular home services.