BH Dicke
Full name: Bernhard Heinrich Dicke
Lifespan: 1869-1938
Occupation: Farmer, historian, author, trader, importer.
Biography
Dicke was a farmer, writer, and commentator based in the Transvaal region of South Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He first arrived in South Africa in 1889. He is best known for his historical accounts and personal reminiscences regarding border life, Native uprisings, and interactions with local tribes.
Key aspects of B.H. Dicke's work include:
- "The Bush Speaks: Border Life in Old Transvaal" (1937): This is his most prominent work, published by Shuter & Shooter, which details life on the border of the Old Transvaal. The book describes the experiences of early settlers, traders, and their interactions with the indigenous population.
- Writings on Chief Makgoba: Dicke wrote on the Batlou clan and Chief Mamphoku Makgoba, providing accounts of their battles and the destruction of the chief. He described Makgoba as a stubborn, creative, and clever strategist.
- Other Works: He authored articles for Die Huisgenoot, including "Die dood van Maguba" (The death of Maguba) and "Maguba se bokke. Okkupasieplase en Naturelle onluste". He also wrote on the migrations of the Bantu people.
His works are often cited in studies concerning South African history, specifically regarding the Northern Sotho people and the impact of the South African Republic (ZAR) and British forces in the 1870s–1880s.
Anecdotal comments
Every now and then there used to come to Permanent Buildings (in Johannesburg) B. H. Dicke, one of the best-known of the pioneers, a man of German origin with a colossal knowledge of the natives and their ways. (Rosenthal)
"The trader..sat by the fire and made roaster cookies, a tasty substitute for bread." Quote by Dicke, 1937.
"It was inevitable that a district of the agricultural potentialities of Zoutpansberg should one day bo specially catered for by a business house devoting its attention mainly to farmers' requisites. The want that had hitherto existed in this regard has been enterprisingly filled by Mr. B. H. Dicke, who in 1903 established himself in his present premises, which front the Market Square of Pietersburg. Agricultural implements of all descriptions and in great variety are carried by this firm, which, in addition, supplies every class of poultry food, seed, and fertiliser. Mr. Dicke imports his goods direct from Germany and America, and the varied developments of his business, which includes the agency for the Munich and Aachen Fire Insurance Companies, extend throughout the whole of the Zoutpansberg district. For expert supervision of such a business natural aptitude and experience are necessary; and it may be remarked in this connection that Mr. Dicke, from fourteen years of farming in the Transvaal, has an intimate and practical knowledge of the requirements and needs of the agriculturist. He has a great belief in the suitability of the district for cotton cultivation, and is supported in his opinion by the report of the Cotton Growers' Association. A native of Germany, Mr. Dicke first arrived in South Africa in 1889. He is now a member of the Town Council of Pietersburg - being chairman of the Finance Committee and he is also a member of the Committee of the Agricultural Society and of the local Chamber of Commerce." (The Transvaal and its Mines, 1906).
B.H. Dicke, who for the greater part of his life was a trader in the Lowveld near Duiwelskloof on the farm Modderspruit, not only made a thorough study of the existing trade footpaths, but also of the manner in which trade was conducted along such a trade footpath. When Dr. W.H.J. Punt began research on the migration routes of Van Rensburg and Trichardt, one of his first tasks was to establish a fortified post (or schans/fort) in the Kleinspelonken, Soutpansberg district, along which the old trade footpath from Soutpansberg went to the nearest two east coast harbors. Dicke's knowledge of Northern Transvaal and of the Black peoples was of inestimable value to Punt. He indicated on district maps of 1929 the trade routes known to him for Punt. (Translation from De Vaal, 1984).
Dicke and his family farmed in the Duiwelskloof (near Tzaneen) in the Transvaal for many years. Dicke was obviously well acquainted and on good terms, with the local tribes and provides much information about their beliefs, traditions and history. At the same time, however, he shows himself to be very much a product of the times in the Union. Dicke was well travelled and, for example, compares beads he had seen in West Africa and Timor with beads shown to him by local Bavenda. The subject of this book was not one that drew much attention in the Union before World War II, yet this first edition of 1000 copies sold out and two further editions of 1000 copies each were rapidly published and all sold out. Most publications on this region prior to the war focused on 'white pioneers', farmers and achievements, so Dicke's view of the area was very different, but resonated with the book buying public. (Book review of 'The Bush Speaks'.)
Sources
- Shovel and Sieve. c.1959. Rosenthal, E. George Allen and Unwin: London.
- Dictionary of South African English.
- The Transvaal and its Mines. 1906. Praagh, L.V.
- Ou Handelsvoetpaaie en Wapenpaaie in Oos- en Noord-Transvaal. 1984. De Vaal, J.B.
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