Siege of Mafeking, Boer siege of a British military outpost in the South African War at the town of Mafeking (also spelled Mafikeng and Mahikeng) in northwestern South Africa in 1899–1900. The garrison, under the command of Col. Robert S. Baden-Powell, held out against the larger Boer force for 217 days until reinforcements could arrive. The rejoicing in British cities on news of the rescue produced the word mafficking, meaning wild rejoicing.