Die Sterfplek van Dirkie Uys - J.H. Robbertze
Die Sterfplek van Dirkie Uys
An Investigative Historical Tract on the Battle of Italeni and the Uys Family Tragedy
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Die Sterfplek van Dirkie Uys: Soos aan my vertel en gewys deur Oom Piet Meyer en Oom Hendrik Kay
- Author: J.H. Robbertze
- Publisher: Privately Published / Regional Monograph Series, Durban
- Publication Date: 1982 (First Edition)
- ISBN-10: 0620067152
- Edition Details: First Edition, Scarce Private Monograph Distribution.
- Binding: Original publisher's white illustrated paper wrappers, now preserved under a protective plastic cover.
- Physical Format: Thin Octavo (8vo), 48 pages. Illustrated with local battlefield diagrams, commemorative monument photographs, and topographical guide maps.
- Language: Afrikaans
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good (VG) / Well-Preserved Archive Copy
- Exterior / Covers: The original white paper wrappers show light, natural age-browning on the panels. The book has been neatly covered in a classic school-book clear plastic sleeve, protecting the edges from shelf wear and keeping the binding stable.
- Interior: Very Good Plus (VG+). The pages are exceptionally clean, bright, and tight. Free from library stamps, corner creases, or annotations, preserving the historical text beautifully.
Synopsis & Historical Value
J.H. Robbertze’s Die Sterfplek van Dirkie Uys offers a deep look into one of the Great Trek's most poignant moments: the death of young Dirkie Uys at the Battle of Italeni in 1838. Dirkie famously chose to stay and die alongside his wounded father, Piet Uys, rather than escape. Using oral histories passed down by local farmers like Piet Meyer and Hendrik Kay, Robbertze reconstructs the battle and pinpoints the exact historical site of the tragedy, providing invaluable local context for military historians.
Author Profile: J.H. Robbertze
J.H. Robbertze was a dedicated regional historian who specialized in preserving oral histories and identifying battlefield sites across KwaZulu-Natal. By gathering accounts from families who lived near these historic locations, Robbertze saved valuable local memories that might otherwise have been lost, creating an indispensable guide for future researchers.
