Quick Facts
- Date:
- 1899 - 1900
- Location:
- Mahikeng
- South Africa
- Participants:
- Boer
- United Kingdom
- Context:
- South African War
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Mahikeng, South Africa: Siege of Mafeking obelisk
Obelisk commemorating British soldiers who died during the Siege of Mafeking (1899β1900), Mahikeng, North-West Province, South Africa.
Siege of Mafeking
South African history [1899-1900]
Also known as: Siege of Mafeking
Siege of Mafeking, Boer siege of a British military outpost in the South African War at the town of Mafeking (also spelled Mafikeng and Mahikeng) in northwestern South Africa in 1899β1900. The garrison, under the command of Col. Robert S. Baden-Powell, held out against the larger Boer force for 217 days until reinforcements could arrive. The rejoicing in British cities on news of the rescue produced the word mafficking, meaning wild rejoicing.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy McKenna.
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