The research by Ebrahim Rhoda about the Muslim branch of the Rhoda family has been on our website for some time, under “Morkel Family Stories”. This has now become Part 1 of a series, with the Christian branch of the Rhodas in Parts 2 and 3. Building on family traditions and family bible entries, combined with Ebrahim’s research, there is a very plausible case that Christian branch of the family is descended from a Morkel farmer, likely 3rd generation Daniel Johannes Morkel of Onverwacht, and slave girl Rhoda (or Kandaza as she was known before marrying fellow slave Rhode). We give accounts by Rodney and Ebrahim Rhoda and Timothy Visser (his mother was a Rhoda). The oral history in the family is extensive and Ebrahim’s research provides strong support. We have been searching for key documentary evidence that Daniel Johannes was indeed the ancestor but the chances of finding this is not high.
