Michele van Rensburg

The Anglo-Boer War began as a consequence of the British government ambition to bring the independent Orange Free State and Transvaal Republics under British sovereignty.  The hostilities between the British and Boer republics escalated, and war broke out on 9 October 1899.

The Boer forces, were largely farmers who used guerilla tactics to fight the professional British forces.   This led to the British adopting a 'scorched earth' policy and removal of the Boer women, children and black farm workers from the farms, which were then destroyed.  The Boer women and children were placed in tented concentration camps, and the black workers either stayed with them in the camps or were placed in informal camps next to railway lines.  

The living conditions and food rations in the camps were poor.  Overcrowding and poor management of the camps all resulted in a high death rate of women and children.   Far more women and children (black and white) died during the war, than all the Boer and British soldiers combined. 

This historical novel, 'The Undesirables', focuses on the war from the women and children's perspective.  Their experiences, suffering and losses are drawn from their verbal and written testimonies.