Bosman at his best Roselt

The author Herman Charles Bosman is best known for his sense of humour.  His stories make fun of people and the South African culture.  Through all of it he challenges the mainstream culture of his time and shows a great love for the natural world.  There is often a twist in the tail of the tale.

Bosman at this best is a collection of short pieces.  In the Withaak's shade is the first piece in this book and probably the most well known of Bosman's writing.  It is a wonderful example of his humour and skill.

Some Afrikaans words mixed up in the English:

Withaak - a type of thorn tree with a wide canopy that provides lovely cool shade

Veld - could be bush, savanah

Oom - Uncle

Aasvoel - Vulture

Abjaterskop - name of a small hill

Groot Marico - Groot means big, Marico is the name of the local area where these stories are set, in the North West of South Africa on the border of Botswana

Voorkamer - front room

Volksraad - seat of government like parliament

Kerels - Guys

Mamba - a very dangerous snake known for its fatal bite

Dwarsberge - name of a mountain range