Exploring the History of Slavery in South Africa | Iziko Slave Lodge & Land Expropriation Act

Hello Fellow Travellers! In this episode, I’m making good on promises from the first season. One of those promises was to explore South African destinations that connect to key themes from The Woman King movie, including Portuguese merchants and the transatlantic slave trade.

Initially, I planned to discuss Cape Point and the Iziko Slave Lodge, two locations tied to these movie themes, in Season 1. However, due to personal reasons, I couldn’t follow through at the time. Now, in Season 3, I’m starting where I left off—because, as the saying goes, your word is your bond.

(1) What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

This episode dives into the history of slavery in the Cape (mid-17th to early 19th century) and the role of the Iziko Slave Lodge. Key topics include-

1. The historical significance of the Slave Lodge

2. The origins of slavery in the Cape

3. The brutal conditions enslaved people endured

4. Free commemorative days & museum exhibitions worth visiting

(2) Connecting the Past to the Present:

In a previous (now deleted) post, I mentioned making connections between South Africa’s history of slavery and today’s debates on the Land Expropriation Act. The second half of this episode explores how the legacy of slavery still influences South Africa’s current land reform challenges.

I wrap up this episode with an unexpected rant about national unity and resisting external political influence. Platforms like TikTok reveal a growing debate among white South Africans rejecting Trump’s offer to Afrikaners, while YouTube comment sections show that his influence resonates with many across racial lines. This rant isn’t for everyone—but some South Africans need to hear it.

This episode is nearly two hours long—so here’s a tip: listen while cleaning, cooking, or doing other daily tasks. It’ll make the time fly by!

Enjoy the episode!