Goshen (South Africa)

State of Goshen Het Land Goosen
Boer Republic
1882–1883
Flag (1882–1883)
Motto Gewapend en Regtvaardig Dutch: Armed and Fair
Location of Goshen in Southern Africa (1882–1883)
Capital		Rooigrond, Mafikeng
Languages		DutchTswana
Religion		Dutch Reformed
Government		Republic
President
•	Goshen	Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius
Legislature		Die Bestuur
History
•	Founding of Goshen	24 October 1882
•	Unified as United States of Stellaland	1883
Area		10,400 km2 (4,000 sq mi)
Population
•	est.	17,000
Density		2/km2 (4/sq mi)
Currency		South African pound (£)
Preceded by Succeeded by Tswana people Griqua people United States of Stellaland

Goshen, officially known as the State of Goshen (Dutch: Het Land Goosen) was a short-lived Boer Republic in southern Africa founded by Boers opposing British rule in the region.

Located in an area of Bechuanaland, west of the Transvaal, Goshen existed as an independent nation for a short period; from 1882-1883 as the State of Goshen and, after unification with neighbouring Stellaland, as the United States of Stellaland (Dutch: Verenigde Staten van Stellaland) from 1883–1885.

During its history, Goshen, though small in size, became a focal point of conflict between the British Empire and the South African Republic, the two major players vying over the territory. After a series of claims and annexations, British fears of Boer expansionism ultimately led to its demise and, among other factors, set the stage for the Second Boer War.

Before the proclamation of Goshen, the land was under the control of competing Griqua and Tswana groups, while the United Kingdom laid claim to it as part of the emerging protectorate of British Bechuanaland. Two of the indigenous groups were under the leadership of chiefs Mankurwane and Montshiwa, whom the British regarded as "friendly," and another two under the leadership of chiefs Moshoette and Massouw.

In the mid-nineteenth century, voortrekkers (Boer settlers) established themselves in the region and in the early 1880s they supported Moshoette in his battles against Mankurwane and Montshiwa, helping to besiege Montshiwa's stronghold Mahikeng. Mahikeng fell on 24 October 1882 and, in gratitude, Moshoette ceded large portions of Mankurwane's land (416 farms of 3,000 morgen (2,563 hectares) each) to the Boer mercenaries who had supported him.