The karretjie mense: a history of movement, survival and change

By Olivia Schaffer

The story of the karretjie mense of the Karoo is one of endurance, shaped by those who once called the region’s open roads their home.

Their name is derived from the small donkey-drawn carts (karretjies) that carried their possessions as they moved across the vast, semi-desert landscape of the Karoo. For generations, this itinerant way of life was shaped by informal employment opportunities and a close relationship with the land.

Historically, the karretjie mense were descendants of the Khoisan and people of mixed ancestry. With little access to permanent employment or property ownership, many survived as seasonal farm labourers, shearers, or informal workers on sheep farms. Movement was essential, and families travelled from farm to farm in search of work, water, and grazing for their donkeys. Their carts served as home as well as transport.

Life on the road was harsh. Access to education, health care, and basic services was limited. Many families camped on the outskirts of towns or farms, and were often vulnerable to exploitation.

From the late twentieth century onwards, growing awareness of their living conditions led to increased support from churches, NGOs, and social workers. Research and advocacy highlighted the urgent need for housing, schooling, and health care. As a result, many karretjie mense have since settled in low-income housing in Karoo towns, thereby moving away from the nomadic lifestyle that once defined them.

Today, the traditional donkey carts are less common, though they remain powerful cultural symbols. While some families still travel seasonally for farm work, most now live in permanent settlements. This transition has improved access to education and social services, but challenges remain. High unemployment, poverty, and lingering social exclusion continue to affect many members of the community.

Featured image: The late Johan Scheffer, a former farm manager in the Middelburg region, often took time to visit the karretjie mense, who willingly shared their stories with him. Image: the author.