During the late nineteenth century, several organised migrations left the Transvaal. The first of these migrations left the ZAR in May 1874 until 1877. Most were Doppers (members of the Reformed Church); about 95% were members of five congregations. There were few members of the Reformed and Dutch Reformed Church who joined the trek. Later the first three treks united and after nearly seven years of much hardship and people who died along the way, they settled in January 1881 at Humpata on the Huíla Highlands in the Portuguese colony of Angola.
In 1928, economic conditions deteriorated to the point that about 2,000 Angolan Boers were repatriated to South West Africa while 380–470 people remained in Angola.
Getting married legally was a big problem. Getting married in the Roman Catholic Church was very cumbersome with many requirements, for example submitting certificates, such as birth certificates from parents. Marriages sworn in in Afrikaans churches were illegal.
With the help of William Worthington Jordan, land was bought from the Ovambo chief in South West Africa and farmers got farms here - there had to be a fountain on a farm. The Republic of Upingtonia was proclaimed.
William Worthington was an exceptional brown man - highly intelligent, with good medical knowledge, and the Boers trusted him.
In time, most of the farmers withdrew to the Union due to various reasons, mainly economic reasons.
After the talk, questions were asked such as - how did they know where to go? There were no maps?
A very interesting talk that could have lasted longer. Nicol Stassen is the expert in SA on the Dorsland (Thirstland) Trek.
Nicol Stassen, 14 May 2022