Siege of Mafeking

Mahikeng, South Africa: Siege of Mafeking obeliskObelisk commemorating British soldiers who died during the Siege of Mafeking (1899–1900), Mahikeng, North-West Province, South Africa.

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 1899–1900. 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.
Citation Information
Article Title: Siege of Mafeking
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 31 October 2024
Access Date: November 14, 2026