Joseph Gerrans and Resistance to the Planned Incorporation of Botswana into the Union of South Africa, 1909

Abstract

This note is an account of Joseph Gerrans who represented Kgosi Sebele I of the Bakwena and Kgosi
Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse in a deputation to London in 1909. This was to protest against the planned
incorporation of Botswana (then called Bechuanaland Protectorate) into the Union of South Africa to
be established in 1910. Gerrans, who was a trader living in Mahikeng, was on good terms with local
people and clearly won their trust. His role had been covered by the Botswana historian Jeff Ramsay
(1995:85-96). Therefore, I draw on this work and add a little more to what we know about Gerrans. He
has previously been described as ‘Possibly of mixed race, or coloured, parentage’ (Morton, Ramsay
and Mgadla 2008:168). However, this note observes that Gerrans was white, came from Cornwall, and
continued to maintain ties with Britain. Hilary Thompson, a resident in the town in which Gerrans was
born, drew on local records and the census for information about his origins.