Why a South African city’s name change sparked a global verb in London
In short: Mahikeng, the capital of South Africa’s North-West province, has undergone multiple name changes and served as a colonial headquarters. Its most famous historical moment, a grueling siege during the South African War, was so celebrated in England that it birthed a new word in the English language: maffick.
Originally settled in 1852 by Chief Molema and his followers, the site was first known as Molema’s town. By 1881, it was renamed Mahikeng, a Tswana term meaning place of rocks. The British later established a military outpost nearby in 1885, referring to it as Mafeking. This colonial spelling became internationally recognized during the Siege of Mafeking, which lasted from October 1899 to May 1900. During this conflict, a British garrison led by Colonel Robert Baden-Powell held the town against Boer forces.
The relief of the siege triggered such intense jubilation in London that the public coined the verb maffick to describe boisterous, unrestrained celebration. Beyond its wartime fame, the city served as the extraterritorial headquarters for the British protectorate of Bechuanaland until 1965. Its administrative status shifted again in 1980 when it was incorporated into the Bophuthatswana republic, a territory that lacked international recognition. During this period, the name was officially altered to Mafikeng.
The city’s nomenclature remains a subject of local nuance. In 2010, the government officially reverted the name to Mahikeng. Despite this, many residents and local officials continue to use the older spelling, Mafikeng, in both formal and informal contexts. Today, the city acts as a vital regional trade hub and administrative center, supported by its role in the Cape Town-to-Zimbabwe railway network and its proximity to the Botswana border.
Modern Mahikeng is the seat of the Mahikeng Local Municipality, which oversees a growing population. While the city is surrounded by prosperous cattle country and supports dairy industries, its history is deeply tied to the volcanic rock formations along the Molopo River that once provided shelter for early human inhabitants. The restored fort from the siege remains a national monument, serving as a physical reminder of the complex colonial and indigenous history that defines the region.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mahikeng | History & Facts | Britannica
- Also: Mafikeng
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