Andries Botha (soldier)

Andries Botha was a soldier and a leader of the Khoi people of Kat River, Cape Colony, who fought in the Xhosa Wars.

Hertzog, recorded him as having originally arrived at Kat River in 1829, among the followers of Khoi leader Kobus Boezak who had migrated from Theopolis.

The bravery and martial ability of both Botha and his several hundred Khoi sharpshooters were repeatedly mentioned in accounts of the war, as was their habit of ignoring any order to retreat.

Other dispatches from the 7th Frontier War describe him and his followers after the Burns Hill ambush, riding directly into the thick of the fighting while the rest of the army retreated, simply to rescue the ammunition.

[2] Botha retired in the Kat River valley as a local war hero - lauded for his bravery and incredible martial feats.

In spite of this, and deserted by most of his family and his followers, Botha himself offered his services and continuing loyalty to the Cape - defending Fort Armstrong and ensuring the safe passage of officials such as Magistrate Wienand.

Both trials had been immensely controversial as Botha was a respected war hero, held in high regard by many of those who fought with him (who were now also influential politicians).

He was highly praised by his ex-companions-in-arms John Molteno and Andries Stockenström, who wrote to London of him "Her Majesty has not in her dominions a more loyal subject, nor braver soldier".

This support for a greater degree of South African independence (after a long life of loyalty) was possibly inspired by his terrible experiences of the rebellion and his treason trial.

He also launched a fiery attack on the proposed "native policy" of the opposition "Eastern Cape Separatist League", calling its leaders "the Colesberg foxes".