Jurie Steyn’s Post Office

Herman Charles Bosman (1905-1951) was born near Cape Town to an Afrikaner family, but was fluent in both English and his mother tongue. He started writing short stories while at school in Johannesburg, and later became a teacher in the western Transvaal. Intrigued by that region and its characters, Bosman based most of his writings thereafter on his experiences at that time. In June 1926, after an argument at his family home in Johannesburg, he shot and killed his stepbrother. Convicted of murder, he was sentenced to death. This was later reduced to ten years with hard labour, but he was released on parole after five years. His prison experiences formed the basis for his semi-autobiographical book, Cold Stone Jug. After his release, he earned a living by running his own printing company and working as a journalist in Britain and South Africa before his death from a suspected heart attack.

Seventeen short stories from South Africa's greatest storyteller, exactly as he penned them. The stories, spun out as dialogues in the "voorkamer" or reception room of the post office in the Western Transvaal town of Bekkersdal, all contain Bosman's renowned soft humour, his unexpected twists and lurking social commentary.

Those taking part in the conversations are a group of Marico farmers-Chris Welman, Gysbert van Tonder, who is known to be the biggest cattle smuggler in the district, At Naudé, who listens to the radio and reads the newspapers, Oupa Bekker, the oldest inhabitant of the district, and young Johnny Coen. And of course, the schoolmaster, young Vermaak, who often finds himself the butt of the others' remarks.


In the course of these conversations, as points of view are expanded and elucidated, these people are brought with all the foibles and idiosyncrasies.


Now with a glossary to explain Afrikaans words, phrases, and sayings to the present-day reader.