Sir Harry Smith was the Governor and High Commissioner of the Cape Colony from 1847-1852. He ruled during the time of the Frontier Wars and was remowned for his autocratic tendencies. He was responsible for annexing the whole of British Kaffraria on his own initiative and introducing the African poll tax as a means of conscripting the native population into a system of wage labour and pacifying rebellion. Sir Harry was also well known for making grand pantomine displays of power, such as blowing up wagons, when negotiating with native chiefs. He was not above humiliating his opponents either, by forcing them to lie down before him while he trod on their knecks with his boot, or making them kiss the soles of his feet.
He was recalled from South Africa in 1852 and replaced by George Cathcart. After leaving South Africa, Sir Harry returned to England and died eight years later on 12 October 1860 in London. He is buried at St Mary's, Whittlesey and has a section of church named after him. His wife, Juana, died on 10 October 1872, and is buried with him.
References
Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau | Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 10, p. 9.