WI & PC: No Great Trek

Rush Tarquin

Gone Fishin'
What would happen in subsequent south African history if there had been no Great Trek? I'm invoking handwavium and saying the reason is slavery is not abolished in the Cape Colony until the mid-1860s. I'll save discussions on whether that's ASB for another thread, please. Who would populate the space opened up by the Mfecane?

Also, is it possible that the Boers would still leave in large numbers despite slavery still being legal? Were the other reasons big enough motivators? What if slavery was heavily regulated in an attempt to ensure 'humane' treatment? What if authorities were trying to regulate slavery out of existence over a longer period of time by the mid-1860s?
 

Rush Tarquin

Gone Fishin'
Bumping this because I'm still keen on hearing People's thoughts.

Can you still have a Great Trek if there's no abolition of slavery (basically, is the conquest of the Cape Colony by the British enough to drive the Boers away in significant numbers)? Does no Great Trek necessarily mean a smaller South Africa/Cape Colony? Who fills the space created by the Mfecane?
 
Top