A
common feature of the landscape of KZN today are the
pretty wildflowers, the Cosmos. Quilts of mauve, pink
and white stretch across the horizon, not dissimilar to
the Namaqualand daisies that bloom in their golden glory
in Spring each year. The Cosmos are an everlasting
reminder to the deadly conflict that raged through the
land over 100 years ago and bears testimony to the
living legacy of History in the present day.
During the
Anglo / Boer War of `1899 - 1902, the British
encountered innumerable problems, particularly the
re-supply of fodder for their armada of horses and oxen.
Soon the veld
became depleted of its grass on which the animals of
either sides depended on. Hence the British had to
explore new sources of supply of both horses and fodder
and ships were dispatched to foreign ports to import
this vital cargo.
One
such port of call was the Argentine, where bails of hay
lay waiting on the dockside for uplift to South Africa.
Contained amongst the stalks of grass, were the seeds of
millions of wild flowers, the Cosmos, reaped
simultaneously with the grass, which, of course,
subsequently scattered with hay along the line of march
and at distant outposts, took seed! Evidence of the
conflict of yesteryear can been seen today across the
tapestry of the South African countryside, when during
the winter months, these lovely flowers take bloom.
Similarly, on other sites of bloodshed, such as the
battlefields of France, wild poppies are a poignant
reminder of past combat.
A
common feature of the landscape of KZN today are the
pretty wildflowers, the Cosmos. Quilts of mauve, pink
and white stretch across the horizon, not dissimilar to
the Namaqualand daisies that bloom in their golden glory
in Spring each year. The Cosmos are an everlasting
reminder to the deadly conflict that raged through the
land over 100 years ago and bears testimony to the
living legacy of History in the present day.
One
such port of call was the Argentine, where bails of hay
lay waiting on the dockside for uplift to South Africa.
Contained amongst the stalks of grass, were the seeds of
millions of wild flowers, the Cosmos, reaped
simultaneously with the grass, which, of course,
subsequently scattered with hay along the line of march
and at distant outposts, took seed! Evidence of the
conflict of yesteryear can been seen today across the
tapestry of the South African countryside, when during
the winter months, these lovely flowers take bloom.
Similarly, on other sites of bloodshed, such as the
battlefields of France, wild poppies are a poignant
reminder of past combat.