The Dutch and Huguenot “Boer” settlers and the 1820 British settlers arrived in SA with next to nothing. So did the Jews. The first wave of Jews was from Western Europe, and then at the beginning of the 20th Century, came the Eastern European Lithuanian refugees, (die Joodse smouse).
From poor beginnings to a wealthy influential block, contributing more per capita to this country than any other group.
The Mosenthals introduced Angora sheep farming, and then came the Ostrich barons turning Oudtshoorn into Little Jerusalem. With the diamond and gold rush came men like Barney Barnato, outrivaling their Boer and English compatriots. In the Transvaal Boer Republic, men such as Sammy Marks, darling of the Volksraad, Paul Kruger and Piet Joubert. Sammy was instrumental in introducing coal mining and the production of steel at Vereeniging. He also singularly financed the erection of the Kruger statue standing in Pretoria Church Square. (Today most anti-Jewish Afrikaners are unaware of this fact, yet have heavy sentiment for this statue).
Relations between Boer and Jew were amicable. The smouse loaned cash and gave credit to Boer families (their clients), many times simply writing off bad debt, even giving free food produce to families facing starvation, especially in the aftermath to the second Boer War. Then came the tragedy. The good relations between Jew and Boer started ending with the invasion by Louis Botha of German South West Africa (Namibia). Afrikaners became divided, those supporting Botha, and those who called for rebellion. With the advent of the first and then the second World Wars, Afrikaners who sided with Germany, tended to absorb much of the German anathema toward Jews, finally terminating all remaining goodwill that had existed in the past between the two groups.
The Jews felt it. In consequence Jews turned away from the Afrikaner and his racial ideology (being similar to today’s Israeli approach to Palestine), and openly defied the Afrikaner government. Instead of persons such as the Mosenthals, the Sammy Marks and the friendly and helpful smouse of bygone days, the Afrikaner now faced the Denis Goldbergs, Ronnie Kaserals, Helen Suzman, Albie Sachs, etc. (A singular exception was Percy Yutar who prosecuted Mandela, even calling for the death sentence.)
During the 1970’s the Jews were at their pinnacle with 170000 in South Africa. Today, a mere 70000. The Jews benefited heavily from the apartheid era. Sol Kersner made his mark during this period. His hotel and gambling empire are established in countries such as the Bahamas, Canada, Dubai, and now honing in on the major gambling rights in the UK. Jews became ardent supporters for change in government in this country, but when this eventually transpired, emigrated en mass post 1994.
Despite their dwindling numbers here in SA, Jews still manage to inveigle themselves into all positions of power, be it politics or financial. This story is not unique to SA but all over the world. Any country with a substantial Jewish population benefits materially, as does the USA today. In the Bible, God said to his people. “Be the head and not the tail.” Truly. Throughout the ages, they have been just that.
170000 Could never have been a threat to anyone in this country, yet they endured unreasonable hatred, still today.
Greetings
Aunty Schwartz