An Invitation from Highway Heritage Society Chairman Adrian Rowe
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that we have been able to fit in an extra talk this year and our particular thanks to Dr Robert Eales for being prepared to give his presentation to us during a very busy schedule during his visit to South Africa from Sydney, Australia. See below for the notice of the meeting. We already have some bookings and members of the South African National Society will be joining us, so please book early. Numbers will be limited to 55 and if you have not booked there is a strong possibility that you will be turned away!
Subject: The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War, the author’s introduction.
Speaker: Dr Robert Eales who is on a flying visit from Sydney Australia.
Date & time: Saturday 7 May 2016 at 14h00 (2.00 p.m.) Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before this time in case you have to sign-in at the gate and for the collection of meeting fees.
Venue: High School Staff Lounge, Thomas More College, Sykes Road, KLOOF. (directions may be obtained from Marie)
Meeting Fees: Members R15; Visitors R20; which, as usual, includes refreshments and eats. (No change will be given for R100 & R200 notes!)
Note that Highway Heritage has kindly extended the R15 entry fee to SANS Members and please book early as this may well be a sell-out event.
R.S.V.P. to Marie Gurr on 031-7053122 (or marinev.gurr@gmail.com) by 20h00 on Thursday 5 May 2016, to facilitate catering. Booking is essential as Highway Heritage will only put out seats for those who have given their names. If you do book and are unable to attend, please let us know in good time as otherwise you may be requested to pay, to cover the Society costs (catering, venue & speaker fee).
The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War
The year 1900 is an era in which few women made a mark on their time. Emily Hobhouse was an exceptional person who did. This courageous woman went to southern Africa during the Boer War to investigate stories that women and children were having a difficult time in the conflict. With considerable difficulty she threaded her way through the war, all on her own and undaunted by the danger. What she found was very disturbing.
She privately urged the authorities to act, first in southern Africa, then in Britain – to no avail. As civilian deaths increased, her campaign escalated. But the government did not want anyone to hear her story and they made life very difficult for her. In the meantime, what she had discovered on the veld turned into a major tragedy.
Eventually, her work saved many lives. If she were alive today, Hobhouse’s courageous and committed work would be acclaimed around the world. The book reveals a slice of history as it has not been told before and gives this remarkable woman the credit she is due but never received in her lifetime.
We have taken steps to ensure that copies of The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War are available for purchase at the meeting, and Dr Eales will be able to sign your copy after the meeting. The listed price is R280.