South African Argentine

South African Argentine

Boer settlers in Pastos Blancos, Chubut Province.
Total population
c. 300
Languages
Afrikaans · Rioplatense Spanish
Religion
Christianity · Judaism · Irreligion
Related ethnic groups
Argentines of European descent · White South African · Dutch people

South African Argentines are Argentine citizens of South African descent or South African-born people residing in Argentina.

South African immigration to Argentina (also referred to as "Boer Colonization in Argentina") is the settlement of people from South Africa in Argentina, mainly by Afrikaners. This settlement began from 4 June 1902 onwards.^[1] Most of them settled in Chubut Province, southern Argentina. The main cities where they settled are Comodoro Rivadavia, Manantiales Behr, Puerto Visser, Pampa Salamanca, Pampa del Castillo, Escalante, Cañadón Baumann, Pastos Blancos, Río Chico, Sarmiento, Bahía Bustamante, among others.^[2]

South African settlers who arrived in Argentina, were entirely of Boer origin. Today Afrikaans language remains, being the most widely spoken among some descendants that reach 300 people.^[3]

This South American country was chosen by many South Africans to emigrate because of facilities to settle.

History

Between 1902 and 1907/08 about 600 to 650 Boer settlers came to Argentina.^[4][5] These Boers were descendants of Dutch and French settlers of South Africa (also called Afrikaners). They came mostly from the Transvaal Province and Orange Free State. Most left South Africa following the Second Anglo-Boer War as many had lost their farms in the war or regarded themselves as Bittereinders who felt they could not live under a British government.^[5]

To migrate to the Argentine Patagonia region, the settlers sent two representatives to Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut Province, to manage the establishment of the new colony. They were greeted by Francisco Pietrobelli, with whom toured the region, and called for the government land.^[6] They came on British cargo ships with bullock carts and the national government provided them mules and tents. The distribution of land was authorized by then President Julio Argentino Roca and the Minister of Agriculture, Wenceslao Escalante, who was honoured with the name of the colony and, later, the department where it is located.^[3]

See also

• Afrikaner
• Dutch Argentine
• Argentines of European descent

Further reading

• Christiaan Johannes Scheepers Strydom: Afrikaners in die vreemde (Die Afrikaner en sy kultuur, deel 5) (Afrikaners abroad; the Afrikaner and his culture, part 5). Cape Town, 1976: Tafelberg Uitgewers (in Afrikaans)

References

1. El patagónico. "The government commemorated the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Boer pioneers in Comodoro Rivadavia" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 February 2014.
2. Government of the City of Comodoro Rivadavia. "South Africans in Chubut" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 February 2014.
3. Crónicas del Centenario, 1901 - 2001; Crónica, Comodoro Rivadavia
4. DIE ROEPSTEM. "South African Community in Argentina" (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 2 February 2014.
5. "The Boers at the End of the World…Not Your Usual SA Expats!". SA People News. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
6. http://www.drault.com/pdb/boers/boers.noticias.html