Fort Donald and the Abalondolozi regiment

Abstract

Newly available sources of information have made it possible to establish the exact date and circumstances of the building of Fort Donald on the Pondoland-East Griqualand border, by Donald Strachan and members of the Abalondolozi regiment. Particulars about the formation, composition and services of this multi-racial volunteer corps, formally gazetted as a British unit in 1880, during the Basuto war, have also been traced. Strachan, a pioneer in Nomansland before the arrival there of Adam Kok and his Griquas in 1863, served as a magistrate both under the Griqua government, and the Cape administration from 1874. Part of his duties entailed the defence of his district in times of unrest. When colonial and imperial troops were engaged elsewhere, the Abalondolozi constituted the chief element in the defence of East Griqualand. Yet their service, (like those of Strachan himself) were but scantily rewarded. This neglect has resulted in lasting resentment among these outstanding Black troops and their people.