A small Boer commando led by Jan Smuts plunges into the Cape Colony, surviving ambush, starvation, and a brutal mountain storm before seizing a British camp in one of the war’s most daring raids. Through the eyes of Deneys Reitz, this episode reveals the grit, tragedy, and unexpected humanity that shaped the guerrilla war.Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show
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44:24
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44:24
Congo's Ghost: The Betrayal of Patrice Lumumba
In 1960, Patrice Lumumba rose to power as the first Prime Minister of Congo, a nation newly independent from brutal Belgian colonial rule. His impassioned speech defying the King of Belgium on independence day marked him as a fearless leader, but also made him a target. As Lumumba fought for a truly unified and independent Congo, he faced immediate challenges: a mutiny in the army, the secession of the resource-rich Katanga province backed by Belgian interests, and the looming shadow of the Cold War. His desperate appeal to the Soviet Union for aid solidified Western fears, leading to a calculated conspiracy involving foreign powers and domestic rivals to remove him.Dragged through the streets, isolated, and ultimately betrayed, Lumumba was brutally assassinated in January 1961, at just 35 years old. His death was a deliberate act to crush the dream of a truly free Africa and to ensure continued access to Congo's vast mineral wealth. Yet, the attempt to erase him failed. Lumumba's legacy grew louder in his absence, becoming a potent symbol of resilience, dignity, and the enduring struggle against imperial influence. This is more than a historical account; it's a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and a dream that refused to die. Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show
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32:32
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32:32
Survival On The Wild Coast: Chapter Six
Chapter Six: Resolutions & Reflections. Approaching Christmas Day, 1782, a Xhosa chief encounters a strange, scurvy-ridden figure: William Habberley, a survivor of the Grosvenor shipwreck. Despite his ghastly appearance, Habberley is offered sustenance and shelter. However, an act of desperation leads to his banishment. Undeterred, Habberley encounters more benevolent tribes, and his body begins to mend. He eventually meets other castaways, including Tom Lewis, and learns of the varied fates of the Grosvenor's survivors.A rescue mission eventually locates Habberley, Lewis, and Bianco. Despite the ongoing Anglo-Dutch War, humanity prevails, and the survivors are offered safe passage to the Cape. Tragedy strikes again for some on their journey home, highlighting the immense loss of the Grosvenor. Yet, the story also reveals remarkable instances of adaptation and survival, particularly John Bryan’s integration into the Pondo tribe. His journey, marked by hope, kindness, and ultimate tragedy, underscores the untold stories hidden within the oral traditions of Africa.This season is dedicated to two dear friends lost during the production of this season. Sharon and Sibo - thank you for shaping my life. Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show
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34:19
Survival On The Wild Coast: Chapter Five
Chapter Five of Six: A Sombre SalvationThis episode focuses on the diverging fates of the Grosvenor survivors. We witness Captain Coxon's shocking betrayal as he abandons the most vulnerable passengers, including children and the ailing William Hosea, choosing self-preservation over duty. Hosea's tragic demise, despite his considerable wealth, highlights the brutal realities of their struggle.Meanwhile, two other groups emerge, each facing their own desperate trials. Thomas Page's group, including young Thomas Law and the resilient Barney Leary, battles exhaustion, starvation, and the unforgiving African landscape. Their journey is marked by both grim discoveries and unexpected acts of kindness from the Xhosa people.Simultaneously, a smaller party led by Taylor, Williams, and Habberley endures its own harrowing trek, losing companions to the relentless elements and hostile encounters. The episode culminates in a miraculous moment of salvation for the surviving six men, who, after 118 days and 600 kilometers, finally reach a Dutch settlement. Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show
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41:38
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41:38
Survival On The Wild Coast: Chapter Four
Chapter Four of Six: Costly Calls.The Grosvenor survivors face a harsh new reality on the Transkei coast. William Hosea, clinging to his family and hidden diamonds, despairs, while merchant partners Williams and Taylor mourn their lost fortune. Captain Coxon struggles to maintain authority over the increasingly defiant Lascar sailors, offering them false hope of a quick journey to the Cape. After a tense encounter with local Pondo men, the survivors begin their arduous trek south.Their journey is fraught with challenges. The Pondo people are wary and at times hostile, as seen when they disarm Coxon and later clash with the sailors. They meet Trout, a Javanese escaped slave, who paints a grim picture of their journey, shattering their fragile optimism. Second Mate William Shaw leads a splintered group towards the uMzimvubu river, including merchants Williams and Taylor, and surprisingly, young Thomas Law, who becomes a symbol of enduring humanity. They face formidable rivers, treacherous terrain, and dwindling supplies. They split again, Shaw’s group heading inland. After a brief period of unexpected kindness from a local tribe, a crucial missed opportunity, they return to the coast. The brutal realities of the journey, including starvation and predators, claim more lives. Shaw, once their beacon of hope, succumbs to illness, leaving a mere nine survivors to continue their desperate march towards an unknown salvation.Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show
More Than A Story is a podcast that brings Africa’s hidden histories to life through powerful, narrative storytelling. Each season, we dive deep into real events that shaped the continent — stories of survival, resilience, betrayal, belonging, and becoming.Season One follows the gripping true account of the 1782 Grosvenor shipwreck and the survivors' epic journey along South Africa’s Wild Coast. Told with cinematic detail, rich character insight, and historical context, this is not just a history lesson — it’s a lived experience, retold with empathy and imagination.Whether you're a history lover, a curious traveler, or someone drawn to the untold, this podcast invites you to walk the forgotten paths of the past and hear the echoes still carried by the land.New episodes every week.www.morethanastory.co.za
South Africa