Tim Jeebodh

One of the troika of leaders, and immigrant pioneers whose contribution to Estcourt and the province and country leaves an indelible mark is none other than Charles John Smythe. He was a pioneer, a farmer and a political statesman. Charles Smythe left the shores of a sheltered family life, from Methven Castle, Perkshire in the Highlands of Scotland as a 19-year-old adventurer, fired up with an imagination of adventure and breaking new ground in the most southern part of Africa.

His cabin colleagues on the ship were the two brothers of Cecil John Rhodes who were going to farm in Natal, whilst Cecil was prospecting and finding gold in the then Transvaal. Charles Smythe went along to the prospecting fields and having spent two years without being successful decided to return to Scotland.

In 1874 he decided to return to Natal, and having tried his second attempt at gold prospecting, gave up the hope of being a prospector, and as fate would have it, was given the name of a successful farming family to contact to assist in trying to get started.

He arrived on the farm of John and Janet King at Lynedock, Nottingham, and leased the farm Gowrie from the Kings on a share basis.
Having made a success with sheep, horses, and dairy, Charles bought the farm next door, Strathearn, and began his farming enterprise.
He also went on to marry one of Kings’ daughters Margaret, and expanded his farming empire, including buying a farm, Valkop, in Estcourt.

His wife was very hard working and enterprising, single-handedly milking cows, looking after a large family and churning butter by hand.
Labour being unavailable, the majority of farmers turned to Indian indentured labourers. This proved successful and so the Smythe enterprises grew from strength to strength.

In 1893, the surrounding community drew up a requisition for Charles to stand as a candidate for the Legislature, and an unwilling Charles was voted in as a MLA. He also served as Speaker and Prime Minister and Colonial Secretary in the Natal cabinet.

When the union was formed, he had been appointed the administrator for eight years, till poor health forced him to rethink his role in politics. Having fulfilled all his ambitions he set out to do as a 19-year-old adventurer, he passed on in 1918. He also lost a son during the First World War.

A grandson of his was to rewrite history in 1942. Quentin Smythe, age 22, was awarded a Victoria Cross, for bravery during the Second World War. He single-handedly took over command of his platoon, destroyed an enemy battery, and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, even though he was wounded. Quentin Smythe schooled at Estcourt High School.He passed on in 1998 in Durban.