Introduction

Captured from the rich oral and written history of her extended family, Grace's story gives us unique insight into a lost era of hardy pioneers of 1820 settler origin whose influence and legacy have left an indelible impression on the multicultural South African of today.

Historical Accounts

Letters, articles, and newspaper excerpts offer fascinating personal accounts of those turbulent times in the Transkei of the 1800s and early 1900s. Included is a letter written by her grandfather, detailing his dealings with Mhlonhlo, the powerful Pondo chief of the time and an antecedent of the great Nelson Mandela whose kraal was situated not far from many of the events described in this book.

Story of a Woman

This is also the uplifting story of an inquisitive, courageous, and intrepid woman making her way in the dynamically changing world of twentieth and twenty-first century South Africa. In short, it is, as the title states, Our Story.