NONGQAISouth Africa’s National Security MagazineEstablished in 1907
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Mnr DHC Homfray: Redakteur Nongqai
Nongqai

Mnr DHC Homfray: Redakteur Nongqai

D. H. C. Homfray served as the long‑standing editor of The Nongqai, shaping the journal from its early years into the leading service publication in Southern Africa. Born in the Andaman Islands and trained in England, he joined the Natal Mounted Police in 1899, where his experiences across policing, military duties and prison administration informed his later editorial vision. A severe injury redirected him from active service to journalism, and his tenure as editor — spanning 1909–1911, 1914–1915 and 1921–1946 — gave The Nongqai its distinctive character rooted in tradition, discipline and the ethos of uniformed service. After retiring in 1946, Homfray settled near Cape Town as a farmer, continuing a life shaped by service and dedication.

August 29, 2026Read
Maandbrief: Potpourri
18338 Bloukrans

Maandbrief: Potpourri

This month’s letter weaves together South African history, policing heritage, personal memoir, and spiritual reflection. It opens with the remarkable story of Johanna van der Merwe — “a Voortrekker heroine who survived more than 20 assegai wounds during the Bloukrans massacre” — and expands into a broad historical survey of early policing bodies such as the Natal Mounted Police, Cape Police, Durban Borough Police, the Railway Police, and units active during the Anglo-Boer War. Interspersed with these historical accounts are vivid personal recollections: early police service in Wentworth, encounters with former colleagues, and meetings with figures from the South African Police, Railway Police, and National Intelligence Service. The letter also reflects deeply on Afrikaner identity, language decline, cultural shifts after 1994, and the changing landscape of schools, churches, and communities. The narrative asks the poignant question: What became of the once formidable Afrikaner? The final section offers a spiritual meditation on Simon of Cyrene — “the man who carried the cross” — and the enduring faith legacy of his family in the early Christian church. The article concludes as a rich blend of historical documentation, personal narrative, cultural commentary, and devotional insight.

August 1, 2026Read
Natal Colony: Pionier African (Zulu) Policemen
Durban Borough Police * Durban Gemeentelike Politie

Natal Colony: Pionier African (Zulu) Policemen

This photo-article examines the pioneering role of Black policemen in the Durban Borough Police, Pietermaritzburg Borough Police, and the Natal Mounted Police. Recruited largely from strong Zulu men, these early policemen—despite limited training—proved to be disciplined, loyal, and effective guardians of civic order. They arrested drunks, thieves, and pickpockets, and their honesty and dedication set a lasting example for modern policing. Their service, often under harsh conditions with minimal equipment, illustrates both the resilience of African policemen and the colonial reliance on Zulu martial traditions. Through photographs and narrative, this article highlights their courage, loyalty, and enduring legacy.

December 10, 2025Read
Inspections
Bosluise

Inspections

Parade Inspections in the Natal Mounted Police, Natal Police, and South African Police were regular features in a policeman's life. Kit had to be clean and was inspected. Official handbooks had to amended and up to date.

June 29, 2025Read