Episode 77 – The strange tale of Dr (Ms) James Barry and Makhanda’s War begins
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Show notes
The period between 1816 and 1819 saw the level of conflict rise significantly across southern Africa – not only were the Zulu beginning their ascent to power in the east, but in the frontier district of the Cape, war was afoot.
The seer, the man we’ve tracked for a few episodes, Nxele, was about to make his move and the repercussions of his actions reverberated across the subcontinent – and in some ways – continues to reverberate.
There is a direct line between Nxele, Ndlambe and our present political condition. As we cover this seemingly distant period in our history, you’ll begin to see these correlations.
You know the profound truth of history – that people who forget history are doomed to repeat it. There is perhaps no more pertinent proof of that truism than what we’re going to hear over the next few episodes.
One of the most important advisors to The Governor of the Cape Lord Charles Somerset at this time was also someone who was unusually interesting. Somerset’s wife had died soon after he arrived at the Cape, leaving him to look after their two daguthers and to his credit, he travelled with them rather than leaving them behind in Cape Town.
Minding his health was the Governors official physician, Doctor James Barry who was by far the strangest personality in his official party. Barry had obtained a medical degree from Edinburgh University at the age of 15, a prodical child, then joined the army. He served in Malta, St Helena, and the West Indies as well as India amongst other locales.
Doctor Barry eventually died in 1865 – and as his corpse was stripped and reclothed – it was found to everyone’s shock – that Doctor Barry was actually a woman.
