Once the capital of the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic). Vryheid was incorporated into the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal) in 1887. Vryheid, being close to Ulundi, portrays a tribal heritage of the proud Zulu nation – reflected in the memorials and forts, all of which make history come to life. Northeastern Zululand also offers a variety of historical sites reflecting the region’s turbulent past. The greater Vryheid region has a warm and cosy ambience, an area that offers visitors a true back to nature experience. Many of the wildlife attractions encompass a myriad of world renowned game reserves, private game parks and lodges. Game viewing includes everything from a huge diversity of mammal species, while the prolific birdlife and fauna offer a never ending fascination. Besides the dams and mineral spa’s. Vryheid offers a variety of accommodation facilities to suit all pockets and tastes, ranging from luxury suites and bushcamps to tents. The picturesque and diverse aspects of the region are aptly embodied in the town’s slogan – ‘Vryheid a world in one word’.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Durban 345 km, Johannesburg 420 km, Ladysmith 170 km, Newcastle 110 km, Richards Bay 240 km, Swaziland Border 110 km, Ulundi 110 km

Altitude – 1178 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – Approximately 780 mm

Average Temperatures – Approximately 11,9°c – 25,5°c

Dams – Klipfontein

HISTORICAL VIEW

Lucas Meijer Museum

Lucas Meijer built this house for his wife during 1884. It was designed by a Mr Cherry. Additions were done in 1922, yet the building remains an exceptional example of Cape Dutch Revival. It is beautifully detailed with elegante late Art Nouveau decorations. All wood is Oregan Pine and Rhodesian Teak and the ceiling in the Music Room is made of moulded sheet iron. Lucas Meijer died in 1902, his widow married Bob Foord in 1909. After his death she lived in the house until her own death at the age of 89 in 1961. Mr Houston bought the house and leased it to several institutions, i.e. child welfare, Barclays Bank, Technical College, the municipality and eventually it became a pottery and art studio. The municipality bought it during 1987 and started with renovations. In February 1991 the museum opened it’s door to the public as a cultural historical museum. Exhibits depicts banking history, mining, printing, Zulu history and musical instruments. Behind the house, is the garden, is a baking oven and a few old farm implements. Today this museum also serves as a living museum where meetings, training and educational events are frequently held.

Carnegie Library

A flamboyant building, the Carnegie Public Library was built with money donated by the American Carnegie Foundation. The architect was one Adolph Rau. He cleverly exploited the corner position created by Landdrost and Mark Street by taking the access from the corner to a charming little tower behind which he located the reading rooms. The building was completed in 1909 and served as a library for nearly sixty years. In 1968 the verandas were enclosed. It was used by the Welfare Department until 1983. During Vryheid’s Centenary celebrations in 194 the building was restored to it’s original form and became part of the Lucas Meijer Museum. The wood used in the building was imported Oregon Pine. All the interior and exterior wood is still original. The small marks on the floors are from ladies’ stiletto heeled shoes worn in the early 1960’s.This museum houses the Information Bureau, and displays include a small Zulu Display, various items made by Boer prisoners of war in St Helena and a Voortrekker medicine chest dating from the Bloukrans massacre.

Knabbelhuisie

The oldest home industry in South Africa in the town centre is well worth a visit.

Military History

Little is known of the wealth of military history within 100 km of Vryheid, covering the formation of the Zulu Nation, the arrival of the Voortrekkers, the Anglo Boer War and the establishment of the Nieuwe Republiek. Al these battle sites are within comfortable traveling distance of Vryheid. At the Battle of Qcocli Hill, Shaka Zulu established his supremacy over his arch rivals, the Ndwandwe and formed the Zulu nation.

Voor-trekker-Zulu War 1838

Massacre of Piet Retief and party, 6 February 1838. Blood River, Defeat of Dingane’s Zulus, 16 December 1838. Umgungundlovu, Sacking of Dingane’s capital, 20 December 1838.

Anglo Zulu War 1879

Defeat of British, 22 January 1879. Approximately 4500 killed. Rorke’s Drift, 22 January 1879, 11 VC’s won – most in history. Battle of Hlobane, 94 British dead, 5 VC’s won, 28 March 1879. Nkambula, British victory. Turning point of war, 29 March 1879. Prince Imperial, Death of French Prince Louis Bonaparte, 1 June 1879. Ulundi, final defeat of Zulu Army, 4 July 1879.

Battle of Tshaneni

On 5 June 1884 at the Battle of Tshaneni, Dinizulu, with the assistance of Transvaal burgers, defeated Isibephu, which led to the formation of Die Nieuwe Republiek.

Anglo Boer War 1899 – 1902

Battle of Scheepersnek, 31 British dead, 20 May 1900. Bloedrivierpoort, second Boer invasion of Natal, 17 September 1901. Itala and Mount Prospect (Babanango) Battle, 25 – 26 September 1901.

Holkrans Massacre of 56 Boers by Sikobobo’s Zulus, 6 May 1902

Nieuwe Republiek Museum

Lucas Meijer, the President of the Nieuwe Republiek, had this building erected in 1884 as a Parliament building of the new state. It had a large front room in which all the deliberations took place with the President sitting at the far end of a table. Behind the Raadsaal is the old Fort, built of ysterklip, a particularly hard stone which could not be dressed. This building has four cells and was originally the prison. The building served it’s purpose very well and was also used as a Post Office and Police Station. On of the cells houses a valuable exhibition of guns which were used in several wars. This building was one of the first to be built in Vryheid, and in 1939 was declared a museum and affiliated to the Natal Museum Service.

A Short History Of The Nieuwe Republiek

Zulu king Cetshwayo died in February 1884. His son and lawful successor, Dinizulu, could not however ascend the thorne because of fighting between the various Zulu factions and rebellious chiefs who would not subject themselves to his authority. After negotiations and consultations, some of the Boers formed a committee for the purpose of putting an end to the bloodshed in Zululand. The committee called for volunteers to assist Dinizulu in subjecting the rebellious chiefs. Volunteers arrived from all over the country until they eventually numbered about 800. The volunteers were not only Afrikaners, but comprised of many nations. On 22 May 1884, the Boers proclaimed Dinizulu King of the Zulus. The place of coronation was later known as Zalflaager. Most of the Chief with considerable support, however, continued attacking Dinizulu’s people. A Boer commando of about 116 joined forces with Dinizulu’s followers and advanced upon Usibephu’s kraal. When the commando arrived at the kraal, they found that Usibephu had fled, but they pursued him and cornered him at Mkuzipoort. At the battle of Tshanini he and his followers were defeated. As a reward for their services Dinizulu, on 16^th August 1884, entered into a written agreement with the Boers in which he granted them a portion of Zulu territory for the esablishemnet of an independent Boer republic. On 5 August 1884, the functions of the old committee were taken wover by the Volksraad of the Nieuwe Republiek, and on 16 August 1884 the new state was proclaimed. Surveyor HK Maarschalk was instructed to survey and lay out the town, which was named Vryheid on 23 September 1884. The town was the seat of the Volksraad and the building which at present houses the Nieuwe Republiek Museum was erected to serve as council chambers and government offices. The fort and prison cells were added in 1887. The Volksraad also decided on a flag and coat of arms for the Nieuwe Republiek. The flag was to consists of four colours – a vertical blue stripe along the flagstaff and then three horizontal stripes; red at the top, white in the middle and green at the bottom. The system of government and laws of the Nieuwe Republiek closely resembled those of the Transvaal. As many of the burghers had originally come from the Transvaal, there was a general movement towards unification with the Transvaal. During April 1888, the government of the Nieuwe Republiek entered into negotiations with the Transvaal. The incorporation agreement between the Nieuwe Republiek and the Transvaal was signed at Vryheid on 20 July 1888, by the representatives of both governments and from the date of Nieuwe Republiek ceased to exist and became a district of the Transvaal. Because these districts formally were part of the old Zululand, Vryheid and Utrecht were incorporated into the Province of Natal in 1903.

Old Fort

One of the first buildings to be erected in Vryheid, the old prison, with it’s four cells is built of ysterklip, a particularly hard stone which could not be dressed. The building was also used as a post office and a police station. One of the cells now houses an exhibition of guns used in several wars.

NATURE

Gwala Gwala

Itala Game Reserve

The pride of the KZNNCS, Itala Game Reserve is situated near Louwsburg, 70 km east of Vryheid. Private Game Reserves are spread throughout the region, offering accommodation as well as hunting opportunities.

Ntendeka Wilderness Area

The Ntendeka Wilderness Area, east of Vryheid, is characterized by high dolorite and sandstone cliffs, with dense forests covering the valley slopes. Ntendeka boasts an extensive indigenous forest, where more than 180 trees and shrub species have been identified, including more than 60 fern species. There is a 25 km network of hiking / walking trails and a camping site with ablution facilities. Wildlife includes the rare Ngonye red squirrel. More than 192 bird species have been identified, including the rare Cuckoo Hawk, Wattled Crane and Blue Swallow.

Vryheid Nature Reserve

It has an environmental centre ideal for educational groups and team building weekends. Accommodation is provided in a tented camp.

ACTIVITIES

Bird Watching

This area of Northern Kwazulu Natal has a wealth of birdlife, that has until now been overlooked. Approximately 370 species have been recorded in this area, which can be ascribed to the varied habitats present. From the lowveld at Thaka Game Reserve to the montane forest at Pongola Bush Nature Reserve, this scenic area offers the birder a wide variety of species. The region centres around the historic town of Vryheid, which is an ideal hub for accommodation for birders.

Thaka Game Reserve

This private reserve near Gluckstadt is still in it’s developing stages and comprises 30 000 ha of farmland. The vegetation varies from grassy hills to thornveld along the Thaka and Black Umfolozi Rivers. Specials Grey Lourie, Dwarf Bittern, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Melba Finch, Arrowmarked Babbler, Ground Hornbill, Whitebacked Vulture. Species Count 230 bird species. Accommodation available at Trhangami Safari Spa

Vryheid Nature Reserve

Leased by the Kwazulu Natal Nature Conservation Service (KZNNCS), this small reserve is situated just north of Vryheid. Forest, mixed woodland and grassveld habitats predominate. Specials Cuckoo Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Bush Blackcap, Broadtailed Warbler, Palecrowned Cisticola, Olive Bush Shrike, Buffstreaked Chat. Species Count 217 bird species. Accommodation Ntingonono Environmental Centre.

Pongola Bush Nature Reserve

Also run by the KZNNCS, this reserve is located bear Luneburg and consists of climax mixed Podocarpus forest. Visits must be requested from Officer in Charge in Vryheid. Specials Forest Buzzard, Bluemantled Flycatcher, Yellowthroated Warbler, Starred Robin, Orange Thrush, Buffspotted Flufftail. Species Count 136 bird species. Accommodation Pongola Highlands Trail, Walter Rabe.

Klipfontein Dam and Bird Sanctuary

These two venues are controlled by the local TLC and situated 5 km south of Vryheid. The wetlands provide shelter for many water associated species. Specials African Rail, Redchested Flufftail, Osprey, Great Reed Warbler, Baillon’s Crake, Whitebellied Korhaan, Crowned Crane. Species Count 190 bird species. Accommodation Klipfontein Dam has a caravan park with camping facilities.

Esikhuma

Situated 10 km south of Vryheid on private land along a district road (D34). This locality is dominated by the eSikhuma mountain with cliffs and steep grassed slopes and is surrounded by thornveld. Specials Bearded and Natal Robins, Mountain Chat, Bald Ibis, Black Eagle, Lesser Masked Weaver. Species Count 200 bird species. Accommodation available at Ntingonono Environmental Centre, 15 km away.

Blood River Vlei

Situated on private land near Schppersnek, this birding hotspot consists of a system of vleis that are one of the most productive and important in the area. Specials Yellow Wagtail, Black Egret, Baillon’s Crake, Lesser Jacana, Hottentot Teal, Little Bittern, Fulvous Duck, Blue Korhaan. Species Count 146 bird species. Accommodation available in Vryheid, 25 km away.

Outdoors - Game Viewing, Water sports

Accommodation in and around Vryheid