Prof writes third book on Chrissie
The first of Ton’s three books on Chrissiesmeer documented the history of the town (Chrissie is her name) and the second explored the history of the Bushmen of the area.
Lake Chrissie and the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1903 is new on the shelf and the third book by Prof Ton Sanders on the history of Chrissiesmeer.
A labour of love is the only way one can describe the latest book written by this resident of Chrissiesmeer who unashamedly declares his love for the town also known as Lake Chrissie.
Born in the Netherlands in 1941, Ton came to South Africa in 1963 and followed a career as a law teacher and researcher. After retiring in 2002, he settled in Chrissiesmeer and so began an intense love affair with the town, its people and its history. He has since established himself as a true son of Lake Chrissie, pursuing a passion for documenting the rich and eventful history of this quaint town.
The first of Ton’s three books on Chrissiesmeer documented the history of the town (Chrissie is her name) and the second explored the history of the Bushmen of the area.
Although there are many books and essays describing the Anglo-Boer War, Ton has succeeded in capturing and condensing a plethora of information and anecdotes concerning Chrissiesmeer and the war without neglecting important and relevant facts or diluting the spellbinding charm that the town still holds today. As can be seen in the bibliography section of the book, Ton has waded through piles of references and works in an effort to capture and summarise the events that unfolded all those years ago. The many illustrations that adorn the pages do justice to this fascinating account that is a must-have for any history lover’s book collection.
From before the Great Trek to the Anglo-Boer War when Lake Chrissie was known as the Bothwell Trading Post, through to the effect the war, particularly the Battle of Lake Chrissie, had on the town, on to the rich Scottish history and through to the New South Africa that resulted from aspects of the Anglo-Boer War, this book, originally intended as a coffee table book to be digested in more than one session, has evolved into a can’t-put-it-down goldmine of history, heritage and spellbinding reading.
Copies of the book at R130 each can be obtained from the Highvelder offices in Murray Street, tel. 017 811 2221 or the Matotoland Eco-Tourism Association at tel. 082 640 5650 (email: jean.justcountry@gmail.com)
