It was among the picturesque hills and rock formations of this sweeping landscape that fearless, spear-wielding footsoldiers of the all-conquering Zulu kings first encountered the rampant British Empire's sophisticated fire- power... and where each faced the unfamiliar guerilla-warfare tactics of the Boer - descendants of the west European settlers who five generations earlier had claimed divine right to this 'Promised Land'.
Once the capital of the Nieuwe Republiek, and incorporated into the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, in 1884, Vryheid (Freedom) became a focal point for German immigration which continues to influence this modern, progressive town. Many examples of Tudor and Edwardian architecture stand among the numerous historic landmarks. This is an ideal place to stay, if you are interested in the battlefields. From the Voortrekker Zulu conflict there is Blood River. Isandlwana is not far away, where the Zulus defeated the mighty British army. On the outskirts of Vryheid is the Talana battlefield from the Boer War.
A party of Voortrekkers, led by Andries Pretorius, defeated a Zulu army on the banks of Ncome river. The river was renamed "Blood River" after the Boers' victory. The Voortrekkers used a "laager" technique to defend themselves and today replica bronze wagons stand as a memorial to the Boers' defeat of the Zulu. There are two museums on the site, the recently opened "Ncome Museum" and the "Blood River" museum.
Dundee
Talana Museum
Nestling in a valley in the picturesque Biggarsberg, is the town of Dundee. Situated equidistant between Durban and Johannesburg, the Dundee region is the geographic centre of Northern KwaZulu Natal. The cultural and military history of the area is depicted in the Talana Museum, on the outskirts of Dundee.
A number of gracious old homes in the towns and on nearby farms have been converted into tourist accommodation.
The area is home to a number of skilled crafts people. Pottery, wood work, hand knotted carpets, woven grass baskets, Zulu beadwork, are all produced here and artists and crafts people can be seen at work in their own environment.
This unique destination has a lot more to offer than battle sites. There are Zulu cultural experiences, craft and birding routes, game reserves, fishing in dams and rivers, white-water rafting, horseback safaris and a host of other adventures.
Ladysmith is located on the banks of the Klip River. Proclaimed in 1850, it was named after the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith. It became a prosperous staging post for fortune-hunters en route to the Transvaal goldfields and diamond discoveries at Kimberley.
Ladysmith made world headlines at the turn of the previous century when it was besieged for 118 days during the most crucial stage of the Anglo-Boer War. Today a commercial centre for surrounding communities, Ladysmith is a natural gateway to the tourist delights of the Central and Northern reaches of the Drakensberg range. Snowcapped peaks during winter form a breathtaking backdrop.
Estcourt
Estcourt Anglo-Boer War battle sites include the Brynbella-Willow Grange. Veglaager ("Battle Laager") is the site of a battle between the Boers and Zulus in 1838. Bloukrans Memorial marks the site where Voortrekker families were killed after the murder of their leader, Piet Retief. Winston Churchill was captured by the Boers at Chievely in 1899. A memorial marks the site of the engagement during which he was captured. Visitors may witness the interesting process of glass making at Glamosa Glass. There is a large factory shop sector in town where people may buy a wide variety of products.
At Isandlwana the British army suffered its worst defeat at the hands of a native force. The battle was a decisive tactical victory for the Zulus and initially resulted in the strategic collapse of the British invasion. However, the war would eventually result in grand strategic failure for the Zulus, as defeating the British at Isandlwana pushed the British into a much more aggressive approach to the Anglo-Zulu War, destroying King Cetshwayo's hopes of a negotiated peace.
