# Transvaal Proclaims Protection over the Tswana Chiefs (10–16 September 1884)

URL: https://allhistories.com/botswana/timeline/1884-transvaal-proclaims-protection-over-the-tswana-chiefs
Location: Rooigrond, South Africa
Themes: main-event

The Stellaland article says that President Paul Kruger issued a protection declaration on 10 September 1884, followed by annexation six days later. The Goshen article gives 16 September 1884 as the date on which Kruger proclaimed the annexation, and says that on 3 October 1884 the Transvaal flag was raised at Rooigrond, renamed Heliopolis. Kruger and the Transvaal were encroaching on Tswana territory, while Germany had established itself in South West Africa, and the Bechuanaland Expedition article treats both as reasons for the British response. The Goshen article says Frank Thompson visited Rooigrond in September 1884 and was briefly arrested by the Goshen president. The proclamation led Britain to send the Warren Expedition in December 1884. Kruger met the commander at the Modder River on 22 January 1885 and offered to keep order in the Tswana country, but the expedition continued. British rule followed, with Goshen incorporated into British Bechuanaland. At this point in the timeline (1884), John Mackenzie (1884 – 1885) is listed by Wikipedia as British Deputy Commissioner (or Resident) for Bechuanaland, a role that gave Britain influence in the territory without direct rule over the Tswana chiefdoms; the sources differ on the dates of his appointment; Sir Hercules Robinson (22 January 1881 – 1 May 1889) was High Commissioner for Southern Africa, the senior British official in the region.

## Why it matters
Kruger's annexation attempt convinced Britain to take Bechuanaland under its own control.

Ruler at the Time: [John Mackenzie](https://allhistories.com/botswana/rulers/john-mackenzie-1884)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Stellaland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaland)
- [Wikipedia — State of Goshen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Goshen)
- [Wikipedia — Warren Expedition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Expedition)