This week we’re going to probe a comedy of errors that started with a seemingly clever plan by Orange Free State President Steyn to dispatch a diplomatic mission to Europe in order to drum up support. Then we’ll swing past Mafeking in the North West of South Africa where Lord Baden-Powell was facing General Snyman of the Boers. Baden-Powell is famous for launching the World Scout Movement.

IT’s also the town where the famous South African journalist Sol Plaatje was based during the war and where he worked as a translator for the British. This is important because from his experiences Plaatje was part of the creation of the political party the African National Congress ten years later. It was Plaatje's fluid oratory and clear minded writing that helped promote the party’s launch.

So many roads lead to Mafeking - and equally - from Mafeking to the present.