The Correspondence Between Isaac Schapera in London and Sandy Grant in Mochudi, 1968- 1985

Abstract

           Edited with Explanatory Notes by Sandy Grant

Up to 1979, the two correspondents, Isaac Schapera the master academic and the non-academic Sandy Grant addressed each other formally. Thereafter, the relationship warmed. Helping to bring the two closer together was their shared friendship with Amos Pilane, in particular, who had previously been one of Schapera’s informants. Grant describes Amos’ last days, and reports the deaths of Lesaane and Francis Phirie. Schapera reacts. The correspondence has rare value in providing additional information about bogwera as it had been re-instituted by Kgosi Linchwe II, records Schapera’s reaction to the visit he made with Kgosi Linchwe to the initiates camp, provides detail about the re-publication by the Phuthadikobo Museum of Schapera’s out of print ‘History of the Bakgatla’ and his Bogwera, records his first post- Independence visit to Mochudi, his award of an honorary degree by the University of Botswana as well as providing his important recollections about artefacts of major importance, Lentswe I’s rain making equipment  and the copper/brass necklet, the mfitshana. There appears to be no obvious explanation for the termination of the correspondence.