Preserving History in a Time of Madness

As a lover of history, I see it as vital to keep our history, both good and bad alive and in the collective memory. Erasing the things that we consider as wrong or even evil is a mistake. Even now, you can see that the failure to teach things such as the failures Marxism through history is wrong. The things we disagree with the most should be studied in a way that is equally balance with things we believe in a collective society, or used to. Without information on the past and it’s results/ramifications is a route to disaster.

Famed South African, Mr. Eeban Barlow of the famed and now relaunched Private Military Company , Executive Outcomes eloquently discussed this on his Facebook page. With his permission, I will repost it here. From Ancient wisdom to today, people have not changed, only the technology. We are a species who easily forget yesterday.

PRESERVING HISTORY IN A TIME OF MADNESS As a country that has become focused on destroying and negating its history, there are still some who work hard at trying to preserve it. As Cicero (106BC to 43BC) taught us “History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.” The good and the bad should never simply be swept under the carpet and changed to suit agendas as it shapes our future—and those who remain stuck in the past are destined to miss their future. Two men (Robert Forsythe and Mark Klein—their contact numbers are at the end of the posting), along with their team deserve a massive hat tip as they strive to make sure that our military history along with that of the Anglo Boer War is never forgotten nor simply ignored.

They are also great hosts and story tellers. A new developing facility known as Regiments is in the process of being created. Situated to the west of Pretoria in the Broederstroom area, Regiments will give a home to South African military and police forces that have been forgotten or neglected. Situated on an area where many Brit-Boer battles took place, it will give a home to these units that upheld constitutions and past members will be able to visit this facility to view their histories, see memorabilia, and attend functions that have now long passed. Talks and lectures will be presented by noted historians on these units and themed menus will be offered.

For more information, please contact Mark Klein directly. Kedar Heritage Lodge (https://kedar.co.za/) is a place where South African history and nature collide. It is built on a portion of Boekenhoutfontein, the historic farm that once belonged to President Paul Kruger and offers much more than just a venue for functions, weddings and conferences, or a day or weekend break-away. The land around Kedar is game fenced and populated with a wide variety of game, including eland, blesbok, impala, bushbuck, nyala, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, and sable – making it a dream destination for nature lovers. It offers 66 African-themed stone and thatched rooms and suites, all of which are decorated with vibrant, hand-painted ethnic print fabrics and African artworks – reflecting many of Africa’s treasures. But the jewel in Kedar’s crown is not the renowned Paul Kruger Country House Museum, Kedar Spa in the Country, themed restaurants, a large swimming pool and private game drives where even black impala can be seen, but the incredible Boer War Museum.

It is a museum unlike any other and it was here that I learned a lot I never knew: There were many black people who fought with the ‘Boere’; there was a black Boer general; the Boere were saved by black people when they were attempting to withdraw from a larger British force; the British and Boere Freemasons would meet, discuss their masonry issues, and them shoot at one another the following day; the first South African athletes to partake in the Olympic Games were black men who fought alongside the Boere; the impact of the Russian involvement—along with others—on the side of the Boere, and more. Packed with uniforms, weapons, flags and histories of those partaking forces, the museum includes incredible metal sculptures made by Robert and Mark’s team. For anyone who wants to learn about the ‘forgotten history’ of the Boer War, Kedar is definitely the place to visit. It will be time well spent, and an experience never to be forgotten. After all, as Cicero taught us, it will bring us tidings of antiquity. For more information, please contact Robert Forsythe (+27 83 251 4448) or Mark Klein (+27 82 7770810). You won’t regret it.

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