Voortrekker
/ˈfʊəˌtrɛkə
/noun South African
1 historical A member of one of the groups of Dutch-speaking people who migrated by wagon from the Cape Colony into the interior from 1836 onwards, in order to live beyond the borders of British rule.On the 15th December 1838, 500 Voortrekkers formed their 64 wagons into a laager close to the bank of the Ncone River....
- The Voortrekkers had headed north away from the Cape Colony to escape British control.
- The South Hall houses animal-drawn vehicles, including Voortrekker wagons and some ox-wagons.
2A member of an Afrikaner youth movement similar to the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
Origin
Afrikaans, from Dutch voor 'fore' + trekken 'to travel'.