Third Frontier War

The conflict grew from competing claims to the Zuurveld, cycles of cattle raiding and recovery, and colonial efforts to enforce an eastern boundary. Xhosa communities resisted removal from land west of the Fish River, while frontier farmers sought protection for farms and herds in the same disputed region.

In January 1799, frontier settlers rebelled against British authority at Graaff-Reinet. The government sent troops under General T. P. Vandeleur and suppressed the rebellion by April. As Vandeleur's force returned toward Algoa Bay, Gqunukhwebe Xhosa—fearing that the troops intended to expel them from the Zuurveld—attacked it, and colonial commandos were called out.

Khoekhoe labourers and pastoralists then rebelled against farmers and officials and joined with some Xhosa groups in attacks that killed settlers, damaged farms and reached far into the colony. They did not form a single political bloc: Xhosa leaders sought to remain in the Zuurveld, while Khoekhoe leaders including Klaas Stuurman opposed restrictive labour relations, dispossession and loss of livestock.

The British government feared a broader Khoekhoe rising and initially made peace without removing the Xhosa from the Zuurveld. A renewed Graaff-Reinet rebellion in 1801 led to further Khoekhoe desertions and raids. Colonial commandos, including a large combined expedition, failed to impose a decisive result. An inconclusive peace was arranged in February 1803 shortly before the Batavian administration took control.

Significance

The war shows that frontier conflict was not a single contest between two unified sides: Xhosa and Khoekhoe participants pursued related but distinct objectives in response to land loss, cattle seizures and colonial authority.