Page 207 - The Diary of A. H. W. Behrens
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1903
In March 1903 Jakobus fell seriously ill because of fatty degeneration of the heart. He became very fat and died in Rustenburg at the doctor and his people mourned deeply. They held Manotse in high esteem. He was relatively young. The two of us worked together well in the best interest of the people. He was also a Christian from the bottom of his heart. His twin sons had been confirmed in 1901 and were now attending school in Lovedale.
The people appointed Daniel Moreit + Radigoapa [?] as regents. His foster father Ramekoe and Makolokoe said of him, “You will regret it, he is not upright and will cause much worry to you. I know him, I raised him.” And that is what happened during the three years of his reign. He wanted to be something big from
the very beginning and called an educated young man from Potchefstroom, a certain Isaak Poho, ordered the people to pay him 2/- per month for every child, haphazardly took children out of school and let a huge pile of bricks come so that a school could be built for the people at the house of the chief. What came of it, can be read further down.
In June 1903 I became very ill with pneumonia. Unconscious and with wild fantasies, I was taken cross-country to Rustenburg to Dr von Gernet in whose house I lay for three months, severely ill, lovingly cared for by my dear wife. And I could no longer walk when I was eventually able to get up and when I was brought home. The costs were over ₤ 40 and Dr von Gernet gave me another three years to live.