Mushroom Valley-onderstandskamp

Abstract

Farm burning and the destruction of property during the Second Anglo-Boer War left many farmers destitute, especially the 'bywoners' or squatters. In July 1902 the Relief Works Department was constituted to provide employment for indigent burghers and to assist in the closing of the concentration camps. The relief works consisted mainly of the building of irrigation dams on government farms, enabling poor whites-to earn a wage. Mushroom Valley relief camp in the Winburg district is discussed in more detail, with regard to the working and living conditions, housing, educational facilities and the ministration of the church. The abrupt cessation of the relief works and the transfer of the partially-completed irrigation schemes to the Land Settlement Department became a matter of contention between the Afrikaners and the colonial government.