Gelofte Dag-The Day the Boers entered a Vow with G-D. Blood River-MUST READ

[Boeregeneraal]

Shalom all

Here is a writing I did on Gelofte Dag. Today is the 16th of December, that fatefull day 169 years ago, when the Boers made a vow to G-D.

Gelofte - Vow/Covenant.
Bloed Rivier

On the 15th of December 1838 , Andries Pretorius and his Voortrekkers, received word that the Zulu’s were  pursuing his group. Pretorius, knowing now that the Zulu’s were on the march, and would eventually catch up with him, he decided to take action. His current position, had no real advantage for the defenders, other than being ready and waiting for the Zulu’s. Although, Pretorius, knew of a location, that would be ideal for defence. At the River Ncomeriver. Not only was there a river, but a very deep trench.
The defenders now, had a few advantages. They not only knew that the Zulu’s were coming – more or less when they would arrive was also known, but they now were in a strategically placed position. But, the MOST important aspect, was the GELOFTE to God.

The Voortrekkers were now in a very strong strategic location. But, they needed to take full advantage of the location to form unbreakable defences. They moved their wagons and formed circle like formations. The wagons provided not only cover from enemy projectiles-as well as keeping them temporarily out of bay, as they would have to navigate around the wagons to enter the encirclement, which was now a choke point, and the Boere could eliminate them while they were navigating and entering the chokepoints. But the wagons kept the woman and children safe inside the encirclement, as well as their cattle and livestock. The circled wagons were placed with the river at their back. This was, because they had an idea from which direction the Zulu’s would be approaching from, and the river, would be an obstacle for any strategically sent troops sent to flank or encircle and then attack the Boers from all sides. To their left, was the trench. This would be impossible for the Zulu’s to cross, and the Boere knew it. So now, the Zulu’s only had two sides from which to attack. Basically, they had three sides, but the Boere knew they could not attack on the left, because of the trench. Knowing the terrain, they modified the circle formation. It was now in such a form, so that more wagons could be placed in front, and on the left, which would be the sides the Zulu’s would be attacking from. They now had maximum fire covering the sides which would be attacked. As for the other sides, the left (trench) side, still had minimum protection, as that side was protected by the deep trench. However, the back side, was totally protected by the river. It still had wagons there to complete the circle and keep the livestock in. The men, were to be located on all the other sides, especially on the front and right. Although, women who were on the inside of the encirclement, would still keep an eye out on the river, in case the Zulu’s were attempting to cross the river, and attack from the back – this was quite impossible, but, should they miraculously cross the river, they would be able to attack the Boere from the back, as the Boers were focusing all their fire in the front and right. So, attack from the back, would catch them completely off gaurd, which would most probably spell defeat for the Boere and every single Boer would be killed, man ,woman and child.

The next morning, December 16th, things were not looking good for the Boere. A thick cloud of mist, had desceanded upon the wagon fortress the previous night. What if the Zulu’s had positioned spies in the surrounding mountains, they knew the exact location of the Boere, and notified the approaching Zulu’s where the Boere were? What if, the Zulu’s were planning to take advantage of the mist? Sending small groups of their best fighters into the mist, towards the fortress. Silently approaching, and when bitterly close enough to the Boere, launch a surprise attack?.

The Boers’ worst thought’s were soon fading. The warm sun caused the mist to fade quickly, and soon, the battlefield had once again complete visibility. Fortunately, Dambuza and Nhlela (Zulu kings/commanders)  had not taken advantage of the early mist. God was truly with his people, and the battle was about to commence.

Ten thousand Zulu warriors were now facing a mere Boer force of only 470 men, women and children. Then Dambuza ordered his first wave of warriors to attack.
The Zulu’s were now charging straight at the Boer’ strategically located fire, wave after wave, falling. The Boere were just to strong. Dambuza, then decided, his men will continue attacking the front, but now, he established two groups. One group would continue attacking the front, and the other group, would attack the left side.

The Boere could not believe their eyes. The Zulu’s were now attacking the left side, which had the deep trench. The Boere quickly diverted some of their men to the left side, to counter the massing enemy on the left, while the other men continued defending the front side, which was experiencing the main Zulu group. The Zulu’s attacking the left side soon found out, that their charges on the left were of no value. They (left attacking group) were being killed in the hundreds, but so were the ones on the front. But the one’s at the front at least had possible value. But the one’s on the left, would only charge to get killed, and had no strategic value, as they would not be able to even come close to the encirclement, as the trench was preventing them.

The Zulu’s, after having lost hundreds of men, the Zulu’s decided to fall back. The Boere realised that, and Pretorius decided he and a few of his men would quickly saddle up, and now, actually attack the Zulu’s. The battle had started of as a defencecife battle, but after hours of ferocious fighting, and hundreds of Zulu’s dead, the Boere were now taking the offence.
Pretorius and his men saddled up, and charged the Zulu’s, inflicting heavy casualties upon the Zulu’s.
During the offence, Pretorius was slightly wounded in his hand by a spear, but continued heroically to fight on.

The battle was over, the Zulu’s were now in full retreat. Pretorius decided, to let the Zulu’s flee, and he would not pursue the fleeing Zulu’s. After all, the battle was won, and why should more Zulu life’s be lost. Pretorius and his men, as were all Voortrekkers, very strong in their Christian believe. They had fought an unethical enemy, ethically.

After the battle, the river Ncome was now completely red with the blood of the Zulu warriors. The Boere started to clean up the battlefield, burying their enemy. More than 3,000 Zulu warriors were now dead, and the Boere had not even lost one man. The only casualties among the Boere, were three wounded, including Pretorius.




This was not an overwhelming heroic victory for the Boere, but there was more to this battle. Prior to the battle, on the 9th of December 1838, at Wasbankspruit, Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers had made a Gelofte to God. They asked God, that should God
allow the Boere victory against the Zulu’s, the Boere would build a church to God. But not only that, they also would celebrate this victory day every year. Even today, white South Africans still celebrate this wonderfull day throughout the country.
Although, numbers are dwindling, as the Boere people are being murdered in their tens every day.  God is truly alive, and he protected and granted his children complete victory, which would pave the way for a Christianised country. The river Ncome, was eventually changed to  Bloedrivier, meaning Blood river.

After the battle, Pretorius and Dambuza met. Dambuza asked Pretorius for peace, Pretorius being more than happy to accept. A peace treaty was signed between the Boere and Zulu’s. Never again was there hostilities between the two peoples. When the British landed, they declared war against the Zulu’s. Up until today, the effects of of British expansion in Southern Africa is still to be seen today. The black genocide against the white people of South Africa, is a direct result of the British empire. The Boere nation today still pays dearly for something it never did, and had no involvement with. In fact, the Boere nation helped the Zulu’s indirectly against the Brits, yet today, the Zulu’s are wagging a war against the peaceful Boer people.
Had it not been for the British empire, the terrible events that are occurring every day in South  Africa, would not be.