Resources and further reading Cloete, PG. The Anglo-Boer War – A chronology. JP van der Walt. Pretoria. 2000. Erasmus, BPJ. On route in South Africa . Jonathan Ball Publishers. 2004. Game Parks and Nature Reserve of Southern Africa: Readers Digest, 1991 Game Parks and Nature Reserve of Southern Africa: Readers Digest, 1997 Raper, PE. Dictionary of Southern Africa Place Names . Jonathan Ball Publishers Johannesburg, Second Edition 1989. Van Dyk, P. Explore Kwazulu-Natal. March 2004 Visit and Explore South Africa CD version 2.3 KwaZulu-Natal Tourist Map 2006/2007 . Brabys. Visits and photos Exploration-research trip. Makiti Guides & Tours (Pty) Ltd. 2007 Oral resources Graham Acheson. KZN Battlefields guide. KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 138 Module 5 – Component 1: Drakensberg region UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK Introduction The Drakensberg (“Dragon Mountains”) is also known as uKhahlamba, the Zulu word for “the Barrier of Spears”. Many people just call it “The Berg” (“the Mountain”) The mountains form the western border for some 200km and occupies about 7% of the Province. The mountains were shaped by sedimentation, volcanic activity and erosion over a period of million years. Highest peaks on the South African Side • Mafadi (Mother of Fadi) – original Sotho name is Ntheledi meaning “makes me slip” (3450 m / 11 320ft) – *highest mountain in South Africa • Champagne Castle (3376 m) • Giant's Castle (3313 m) • Mont-aux-Sources (3299m) • Hodgson's Peaks (3256 m) • Cathkin Peak (3182 m) • Devil's Knuckles (3028 m) • Cathedral Peak (3004 m). • Ben Macdhui (3001m) *The highest peak in Southern Africa is Thabana Ntlenyana (3483 m /11 424ft), situated in Lesotho and can be reached via the Sani Pass. The Drakensberg can be divided in three sections The Central Berg • The region from the Cathedral Peak (north) to (Mountain) Champagne-Castle - Cathkin Peak (south). • Giant’s Castle in the south-west is one of the best- known peaks in this region. KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 139 The Northern • Best known for the Amphitheatre with its interesting Drakensberg patterns caused by water erosion over millions of years. • Other cliffs in the region include the Sentinel, Devil’s Tooth and Mont-aux- Sources. The Southern • This area has an abundant wildlife and lush forest Drakensberg vegetation within several nature reserves. The Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park has been declared a World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural (Rock Art) significance. • It is believed that most San rock paintings are interpretations of a healer or Shaman‘s experiences when in a trance.. • The trances connected them to the spiritual world. • While in a trance, a Shaman would bleed through the nose, like the eland and his blood would then be rubbed on the other members of the clan. This was believed to chase away bad or evil spirits, as well as illness. • This explains why the eland was not only a source of food for the San, but also was seen as a very strong religious force, important medium and symbol of well-being. Some of the interesting sites of Rock art Main caves Giant Castle Nature Reserve Some of the most densely painted shelters in the Drakensberg. Snake Rock Covered in snake images with antelope heads. Battle Cave Contains about 750 paintings of battle scenes between two clans. Game Pass Shelter In Kamberg Nature Reserve. Its significance lies in that it has helped researchers to understand San rock art better. Decimal Gorge Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve Junction Shelter A rock painting depicting people crossing a bridge (the San never built bridges), was finally interpreted as signifying the link between the artist and the supernatural world. KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 140 BERGVILLE Population: Altitude: 1121m/3678ft Drakensberg Region Rainfall: (On route R74 approximately 97 km south from Harrismith and 41km west of the N3 between Harrismith and Estcourt at the turn off to Frere and Winterton) • Situated on the Thukela (Tugela) River about 50 km from the Drakensberg escarpment. Origin • Bushmen once roamed the area and the Ngwaneni Tribes at a later stage. • W Posselt and L Guldenpfennig of the Berlin Missionary Society were the first white settlers to reside in this area. • They established the Emmaus Mission in 1847. • A village was laid out in 1897 on the farm Kleine Waterval (“Little Waterfall”) owned by a retired sea captain called Wales. • It was only a little settlement with a few stores and a police posting in 1903. • The village developed slowly during the past years. • Currently operates as a trade and communications centre for a district which includes the tribal area of the Ngwaneni. • C Zunckel built the church at Emmaus in 1857. • The branch railway line from Escourt reached the town in 1914. Name • Derived from its location in the escarpment in 1903 after the Anglo-Boer War was ended. Agriculture • Cattle ranching and dairying • Maize is also grown. • Most of the rivers and streams well stocked with trout. Historical Sites and monuments Archeological Site Mgoduya- nuka Settle- • It appears that it was occupied for several decades • Originally constructed by the Zizi people who lived here until the ment 1820’s. KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 141 • Proclaimed as a national monument in 1885. • It is the only block house, built by the British during the Anglo-Boer War that have survived in Natal. Block House • Recently proclaimed as a national monument. • Currently hosts the home of the local MOTH shellhole. • Site is located about 15km east of town in the Spioenkop Nature Battle of Reserve. Spioenkop • Fought in 1901. Range- • Victims of various skirmishes such as the battle of Spioenkop are buried here. worthy Cemetery Attractions and Activities • Bergville serves as the gateway to several parks, holiday resorts and nature reserves on the eastern mountain slopes of the Drakensberg which includes: - The Royal Natal National Park - Rugged Glen Nature Reserve - Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (World Heritage Site) - Mlambonja and Monk's Cowl state forests - Spioenkop Nature Reserve - Maluti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area • Located on the R74 from Harrismith in the Free State halfway between Oliviershoek Harrismith and Bergville. • Pass Voortrekker leader, Piet Retief, used this natural pass route on his first crossing of the Drakensberg Natal in October 1837 and called it Retiefs Pass. • By the end of the 1860s the traffic between Durban and the diamond KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 142 fields of Kimberley increased and a new road was required. • The new pass was built in 1871 just east of Retiefs Pass. • It was renamed to Oliviershoek after Adriaan Olivier who lived at the foot of the mountain in the 1850s. • The summit is 7 m above sea level. • Located 15 km northeast of town on the R616 towards Ladysmith. • Established around Spioenkop Dam in 1975. • Spioenkop Dam is fed by the waters of the Thukela River. • Spioenkop The site of the battle of Spioenkop during the Anglo-Boer War on 24 Nature January 1900 is located in the park. • Reserve Vegetation is mainly open savannah and grassland but many indigenous trees and shrubs have been planted. (5 979 ha) • Wildlife includes several common species of antelope, both indigenous and introduced. • Offers different overnight accommodation and activities such as boating, waterskiing, fishing and various walking trials. • Located on route R74 at the top of the Oliviers Pass Driekloof • It forms an integral part of the Tugela-Vaal Water Scheme and Dam Sterkfontein Dam which is situated on the border of the Freestate and Kwazulu Natal. • Located about 10km west from the R74, approximately 25km west of Bergville and 15km southwest from Oliviershoek Pass. • Established in 1916 • Includes the famous 'amphitheatre' of the Drakensberg as well as the The Royal Thukela Falls known as the highest waterfall in Kwazulu Natal. Natal • Mount-aux-Sources are the highest and most well known peak of the National Drakensberg. Park • Consisting of about 5km of solid rock it forms the background of the (8 094 ha) well known natural amphitheater that flanked the Tendele Valley and forms the border between Lesotho and Kwazulu Natal. • The Thukela River (Tugela) is the largest river of all the rivers in Kwazulu Natal and has its beginning in Mount-aux-Source. • Eight other rivers such as the Elands River that feeds the Vaal River and KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 143 the 2 000km course of the Orange River have also their start in Mount- aux-sources. • Two French missionaries roaming through this area named this peak Mount-aux-Sources meaning “mountain of sources after they came aware of the on setting of the rivers. • Boasts various indigenous trees (yellowwood), shrubs and flowers, including orchids as well as some rare protea species. • Home to various game such as some rare antelope species reedbuck, mountain reedbuck.klipspringer, bushbuck, blesbok and the grey duiker and a wide variety of birds. • Leopards and other smaller species of carnivores are rarely seen. • Hosts one of KwaZulu-Natal three trout hatcheries that were established in the park in 1951. • Offers about 31 various hiking, driving and some horseback safari trials. - 3 km Otto Walk and suitable for beginners - 7 km Tugela Gorge Route through the Tugela Gorge - 45 km Mount- aux-Sources for the more experienced and adventurous hiker - 45 km / 18 hours circular hiking trial to the Sentinel (the northernmost side of the amphitheater) via Tendele Camp - The Sentinel Route: 8 km drive along the edge of the mountain and then for almost 150km to the Sentinel (the most northern side of the amphitheater) via Oliviershoek Pass. • Various accommodation are available such as camping, chalets and the Royal Natal National Park Hotel KwaZulu-Natal Province ©www.culturalguiding.com 144 ESTCOURT Population: Altitude: 1188m/3898ft Drakensberg Region Rainfall: (On route N3 approximately 140km south of Harrismith and 30km north of Mooi Rivier on the way to Durban) • Located on the main routes to the Free State, Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng.