RACHELTJIE DE BEER

A movie about this South African icon is on its way. Afrikaans speaking children way back was impressed with the story about this little girl, Racheltjie de Beer, who protected her little brother, Dirkie, in the snow. Diwwie de Beer, the most acknowledged researcher of the De Beer family history in South Africa, however, could find no genealogical trace of such a family. Still, the story about bravery of South Africans has been established --among others-- into the history books forever.

It is speculated that the South African author, Eugene Marais, read about a brave act of an American girl in the USA who saved her brother in the severe cold weather and may have customized it into a South African version. This happened in the 1920's (circa). Marais was a medical doctor, well educated and must have been informed and influenced about the news reports around the world.

Though the story of Racheltjie "may now be genealogically proved to be historically incorrect", it will still be interesting to follow the debate about such a film.