TOPIC:

I have decided to pursue my first literary project in the hope that I can make a not-often seen diary accessible to more people. This diary is the Boer War diary of Jan F. Celliers which is still in its original Dutch. The diary was originally transcribed and published by A.G Oberholster in 1978, and this text makes multiple appearances in Frans Johan Pretorius' study of the war, Commando: Life during the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. I believe that the translation and republication of this diary in Afrikaans and English would make this diary more accessible and relevant to the modern reader, as the dairy's scarcity and archaic Dutch does not make for an easy read.

What a wonderful idea! I have a copy but cannot read it without using Google Translate via my phone camera, although I have read enough to understand how hugely important this diary is.

Good luck with this most worthwhile project. I'll definitely purchase a copy.

Thank you very much!

Just to add a little context, Celliers was amongst those burghers who transported the Wiltshire prisoners from Rensburg to Watervaal. I have quoted from his diary in War on the Veldt. His diary is an interesting read.