Rosary

Rosary

Plastic

Date Unknown Origin Unknown Size 457mm Acquired April 2021 From Rosebank Market, Jhb Price R80

Waxbills

“Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland). Republic in the British commonwealth which received independence on September 30, 1966. It lies between the Northern Cape Province, the Western Transvaal, South-West Africa and the Zambesi. Consists of two areas of the Cape Province, and the former Bechuanaland Protectorate. Botswana is occupied by semi-desert country, the Kalahari itself lying within its bounds. No accurate census of the Bantu has been taken since 1946, when the population was given as 292,754 Africans. In addition up to 40,000 work in South Africa. The 1956 Census gave 3,173 Europeans, 700 Coloured and 250 Asiatics. Most of the area has been demarcated into reserves, where the chiefs of the Bamagwato (q.v.), and of other tribes, administer their tribal law. Transport is mainly secured through the railway running from the Republic to Rhodesia, supplemented by a motor service. Cattle-breeding is the principal industry, also a certain amount of hunting and growing of crops such as beans and … corn. Missions are active, but so far no successful work has been done on the Bushmen still to be found in the depths of the Kalahari. Bechuanaland came under European control in 1884, when it was occupied by General Sir Charles Warren, in order to prevent annexation by the Transvaal or the Germans. Of minerals the most important is asbestos, the last return showing 1,562 tons shipped, valued at £165,634. A certain amount of gold is also produced, likewise kyanite, an acid resisting mineral resembling andalusite. Although situated in the Cape Province, the administration of the Bechuanaland protectorate was conducted from Mafeking, where a special Imperial Reserve’ housed the officials. The principal native town is Serowe. Boer settlements, established in late Victorian times, exist in the north, especially in Ngamiland and Ghanzi, now reached by air. Area: 275,000 square miles. The Republic of Botswana has an elected president and a Legislature of 31 members. See also GABERONES” (Rosenthal 1967:72).

“Waxbills (family Ploceidae). Small weaver family, well represented in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Province, Natal and Transvaal. Male and female usually alike and brightly coloured. Nest sometimes on the ground, sometimes in trees, not suspended in colonies like other weavers. Varieties include Common Waxbill (Rooibekkie), the Black-cheeked, Blue-breasted, Orange-breasted, Ruddy, Swee, Violet-eared and Zebra Waxbill” (Rosenthal 1967:608).