Vryheid - Around Town

Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you can explore forest, wetland, grassland and mountains. Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you have access to over 340 bird species, a number of indigenous mammals and a few thousand plant species. Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you can combine all of the above with battlefields, cultural and commercial interests as well as numerous outdoor activities, culinary adventures, first-world housing and shopping, and be within a stone’s throw of all Zululand has to offer. Stop imagining: Welcome to Vryheid!

 

Founded in 1884, the town was formed within an area granted to early Voortrekker settlers by the Zulu King Dinizulu. Rich coal seams were discovered soon after and this, along with an expanding agricultural industry, ensured the rapid growth of the town. The coal assets have, mostly, been depleted and this has shifted the economic focus to tourism. The main tourist attractions are the history and nature sites. Using the Vryheid Town Map below, and starting at the Information Bureau (1), itself a conversion from the old Carnegie Library which was build with funds donated by the Scottish-American philanthropist, take a stroll up the street to the old parliament building (Raadsaal, 3) and jail, all buildings which were used by the fledging government of the Nieuwe Republiek between 1884 and 1888.

The present police station (5) is also a National Monument. Lucas Meijer Huis (2) over the road was where the first president of the Republic resided and is now a museum.

In 1927 an Englishman, Charles Evenden, leaving his newly adopted country of Australia to settle in Durban, started the MOTH order, a uniquely South African ex-servicemen’s league to give comfort and camaraderie to soldiers from the Anglo Boer War and the First World War. The local chapter is known as the Freedom Shellhole (4) and is well worth a visit, if not for its collection of memorabilia, then for its pub called ‘The Mirage’.

There are more than 30 churches in Vryheid and the Dutch Reformed Moederkerk (6) takes pride of place in the centre of town. The Anglican Church of St Peter (7) is a typical Sir Herbert Baker building with a lectern dedicated to Lt Col Gawne, the officer killed on Lancaster Hill / KwaMqongwana (9), just north of Vryheid, in the Anglo Boer War. The Methodist Church (8) is the oldest complete church in Vryheid.

During the early hours of December 10 1900 Boer forces attacked the British fortresses on Lancaster Hill (9). There are still numerous sangars and other rock walls for the visitors to discover. The hill also encompasses a protected area called Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve, and is managed by EKZN Wildlife. It is well known for its plant, mammal and bird abundance and is traversed by roads and footpaths. 230 species of birds have been identified, and of special importance is a pair of African crowned eagles which breed in the forest overlooking town. You can also see oribi, eland and blesbok. Special plants include orchids, the carnivorous sundew, local trees, shrubs and many bulbous delights. The Klipfontein Bird Sanctuary (10) lies 2km south-west of town and is a success story worth a visit. The wetland provides a refuge for 160 bird species, many of which can be seen from a small hide that has been erected on the edge of a pan. ‘Special’ birds include breeding pairs of grey crowned cranes and African fish eagles, redchested flufftail, African rail and Baillon’s crake are common residents. Keen observers might even spot the Cape clawless otter or water mongoose.

Mpofini Mountain (11) south-east of town (5km) is another area which deserves a visit. Verreaux’s eagle graces the skies, and the mocking cliff-chat and Shelley’s francolin are but a few of the 200 species of birds recorded in this area. Wild figs cling to the sandstone cliffs and attract many bird species. A number of mammals have been introduced into this area, including giraffe, nyala, warthog, eland and kudu. There are many hospitality and other establishments, not to mention the friendly locals. Professional, registered tour guides are also available.