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Kruger National Park : Albasini Trading Post
Hazyview district, Mpumalanga

Date:1846-1848
Type:Retail
Style:Vernacular : Utilitarian
Status:Ruin

 


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Coordinates:
25°01'22.85" S 31°14'38.70" E Alt: 419m

Joao Albasini was born 1 May 1813, in Lisbon, Portugal. He came to Lourenço Marques in 1831 and became a slave trader and Elephant hunter. The remains of his trading post can be found at the Phabeni Gate, 10 km from Hazyview.

Albasini moved to the farm Goedewensch in 1857 near Schoemansdal. During this time, he was also appointed as "Superintendant of the native tribes", which entailed the collection of poll-taxes from the surrounding local population by his impis.

In 1867, Schoemansdal was evacuated due to increasing hostilities between its inhabitants and the Vendas. Only Albasini and about 20 others, together with about 200 faithful followers, remained to protect the Soutpansberg district.

After suffering a stroke, Albasini died on his farm Goedewensch in 1888.

One of the reasons for Albasini's departure for Ohrigstad was his determination to marry the young 18 year old Gertina Janse van Rensberg, who became his wife in 1850. They had nine children, the first of whom was born In 1853.

See Kruger National Park website.

[See also Kruger National Park : Historical sites and structures].


References:

Hopkins, Ron. 2013. Field Guide to the Historical Sites of the Kruger National Park. Hoedspruit: Ron Hopkins. pg 128-131
Pienaar, UdeV. 2012. A cameo from the past : the prehistory and early history of the Kruger National Park. Pretoria: Protea. pg 712 item 44