My latest of my three books published in 2021, features on its front page, Botha House, built and completed in 1920 for Louis and his wife Annie Frances Bland (nee Emmett).
Annie was by great great grandfathers , grandchild who had married, Irishman George Cheere Emmett.
In my possession were images handed down to me by my family. I have incorporated them in this blog in that Louis Botha was born and campaigned in Natal during the Boer War. He was a Boer General and was to become the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. A great reconciler and patriot.
Ironically, my Grandfather worked for General Duncan McKenzie in the 1890’s and first arrived in Rhodesia in 1894, would have been in the ‘enemy camp’ by default. Louis Botha and his wife visited my Grandparents at Shangani, in Rhodesia, in 1914 on their visit to Rhodesia. The visit was called short with the outbreak of the first World War.
My 2021 book, New Beginnings’, featuring Botha House on the cover.
Annie Botha – an original image in my possession.
An official acknowledgment of condolences sent to my family, upon the death of Louis Botha.
An image of Botha House in my possession. The entrance drive way at this time went in front of the house, so this is an early image.
Image compliments of Vryheid, Old Vryheid
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