Groot Marico

Kotkloof Tswana Village.

Herman Charles Bosman

Herman Charles Bosman
(1905-1951)

The prominence of Groot Marico in the minds of South Africans is due to the prolific story teller, Herman Charles Bosman (1905-1951), who wrote numerous short stories about fictitious characters of the area. Some of his best known publications are Mafeking Road and A Sip of Jerepigo. Bosman studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, and became a teacher in Groot Marico, a position he held for a very short time. When he returned to Johannesburg for a holiday, he killed his stepbrother with hunting rifle. He was sentenced to death, but as he was only 21 years old, he received a reprieve and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour. After serving four and a half years, he was released. He then started a small printing business with Aegidius Jean Blignaut printing provocative works. In 1932 Bosman was the first person in South Africa to be charged with blasphemy.

Bosman spent several years in Europe, where he continued to write about Groot Marico, and returned to South Africa when the Second World War broke out.

While in prison he wrote stories about the Groot Marico region. His most famous character is Oom Schalk Lourens, a colourful story teller. The stories of Mafeking Road were told on BBC radio in 1947. More recently, the stories were popularised by the South-African actor, Patrick Mynhardt, in a series of one-man shows.

Mampoer

And of course, Groot Marico is also famous for its Mampoer, distilled liquor brewed from local fruits. This drink, combined with the eccentric characters of the area reminds one of the American Hillbillies, with one major difference. Marico characters are well-read and have the ability to intelligently discuss the deep questions of life.