Has made little progress since his arrival because of ill health; mentions those who have not settled their debts and asks for money; has not been able to discuss business because of a disturbance which took place on Tuesday night which excited the people, is doing his best to popularise the newspaper and Molema must be patient; reminds him of the importance of making profits to satisfy the shareholders.
Has just returned from Thaba Nchu where he attended a successful meeting; Molema's proposal was not put forward and advises him to contact Rev Gorenyane; has troubles which will place Chief Joshua in serious difficulties, Molema must make an address to the "Duke" of Connaught but must first consult Mr Algie as to whether it should be made in Mafeking or Gaberones.
Refes to the financial difficulties of the newspaper Koranta ea Bechuana; people are complaining that they have sent in their subscriptions but have not received the newspaper; there is a need to hire a clerk as well as to obtain more advertisements.
Pitsani is a trading post on the railway line to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) which lies 45 km north of Mafeking, on the western border of the Transvaal. It is famous for being the assembly point for Dr L S Jameson's followers prior to the raid in December 1895. Silas Molema owned a farm, Mabeti, in the area which he leased to white traders and farmers. His chief correspondent is P M Fincham. The correspondence deals with disputes between the farmers over farm boundaries and trading rights; the building of a school house at Pitsani in 1913; sinking of wells and disputes over rights to water cattle; trespassing and damage caused by cattle; fencing of farms.
![Plaatje, S T [Johannesburg]. To Bra [Silas Molema, Mafeking]](/uploads/r/historical-papers-research-archive-library-university-of-witwatersrand/6/0/d/60d5c31b7f99182c7ece8b0cb98a2a858b772cb44b44c8db45ed3c2fe12683aa/A979-Da25-01-jpeg_142.jpg)
![[Plaatje, G T]. To Bra [Silas Molema, Mafeking]](/uploads/r/historical-papers-research-archive-library-university-of-witwatersrand/f/9/9/f99646ee70421441c84bec7c21e6e601bc1e595347f64cc3c4ce778c370167c1/A979-Da7-01-jpeg_142.jpg)
