East Griqualand - Where the Spirit Roams Free

Adam Kok III

zoom Bust of Adam Kok, Kokstad Museum

Adam Kok III was the son of Adam Kok II, a Griqua Chief of Phillipolis in Transorangia. He was born on the 16 of October 1811 and grew up and was educated (Phillipolis Mission School) in that area. He was appointed to the Griqua Council at a relatively early age and even acted as chief whilst his father was away. In 1835 when his father died there was a dispute as to whether he or his older brother Abraham, should succeed his father . The missionaries supported Kok, but Abraham had the support of the broader community. In July 1837, with the help of Andries Waterboer, Kok managed to expel Abraham from Phillipolis. Abraham died soon after this.

zoom Adam Kok's Monument

Kok's greatest problem was with the emigrant Boers who came from the Cape Colony in search of better cattle pasture. By 1834, 1500 farmers had settled in the area north of the Orange River. As a result Kok decided to extend his territory and jurisdiction over the trekboers. An 1840 agreement recognised Michiel Oberholster's jurisdiction and Kok's authority over the land - the Griquas could let the land to the farmers, but they were not allowed to sell. In 1842, after the Great Trek, conflict between the Voortrekkers and the British spilled over into the Phillipolis region. Johan Mocke and his followers settled between the Vet and the Modder Rivers and claimed the Trangeriep for the Republic of Natal. Kok objected and as a result the British proclaimed sovereignty over Transorangia. Kok's territorial claims were recognised in a 1843 agreement with the Cape Governor. The trekkers resented being governed by the Griqua and conflict resulted. The land was divided into an inalienable reserve where Boers would limited occupancy, and alienable territory where they could lease land. In 1848, Kok lost control over the alienable territory and only had nominal power over the inalienable land. The Bloemfontein Convention of 1854 saw the British abandonment of the Sovereignty and the Republic of the Orange Free State was founded. The treaty with Kok was amended so that Boers could also buy property in the inalienable territory. Many Griques sold to the Boers and thus lost their means of subsistence. Adam Kok sold government land and privately owned land.

In 1861 Adam Kok and his followers decided to trek over the Drakensberg and founded Griqualand East. Kok was responsible for external affairs and building a new town - Kokstad. Disturbances in the area prompted the Cape Colony to annex Griqualand East in 1874. Neither Kok or his council were consulted about this matter. The Cape Governor deposed Kok and paid him an annual pension. He died in an accident a year later.

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