10th Boer and Brit day celebrated in Val
The re-enactment of a famous battle drew nearly 200 guests to Val
The usually quiet and rustic town of Val, Mpumalanga, was transformed on Saturday 30 March for the 10th annual Boer and Brit day.
Several visitors dressed to the nine in the historical appropriate attire for this unique day when history is celebrated by former enemies.
Festivities commenced with the traditional parade through town followed by the “Whiskey Train” re-enactment of 29 December 1900.
The site where this skirmish between the Boers and Brits took place is situated approximately 4km from the Val Hotel. The site at the now disused rail bridge and is clearly marked with a plaque depicting the history in writing.
Documented history relates that sometime during the morning the Boers held up a train on the bridge. The train was partly loaded with canteen goods as well as forage and a quantity of bottled beer, spirits and champagne.
According to the tale, the Boers claimed all the liquor and other useable goods like chocolates and took it away on five ox wagons. They obviously had a big celebration afterwards.
The approximately 400 spectators were treated to a well-executed re-portrayal of the historic event and the Boers once more succeeded in capturing the “train” while also taking some “Kakies” as prisoner.
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