New era for almost 140-year-old historical landmark
Vryheid is rich with historical landmarks that attract many local as well as overseas tourists
The old ‘Raadsaal’ in Landdrost Street will soon be restored to its former glory. This comes after the Director of Community Services, TS Mthembu, held a meeting with the local community on March 19. It was decided that a committee will be responsible for the ‘Raadsaal’, which in turn will attract tourists and prevent vagrants from occupying the porch and making fires during the winter months. Well-known historian and author André van Ellinckhuyzen will be at the helm of this very exciting project, since he was elected as the chairperson of the said committee, which will include municipal representatives.
Vryheid is rich with historical landmarks that attract many local as well as overseas tourists. The restoration of the building will benefit both the community and the overall aesthetic of the town.
Vryheid was founded in 1884 and was formed within an area granted to early Voortrekker settlers by Zulu King Dinizulu. Local farmers had helped King Dinizulu defeat his rival chief, Zibhebhu, for succession of the Zulu throne. The land that they occupied was given to them by session from the Zulu King, along the banks of the Mfolozi River.
On August 5, 1884, the Boers formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic), with Vryheid as its capital and its sovereignty was recognised by Germany and Portugal. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic, but at the end of the Second Boer War, the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into the Natal colony by the British. 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 first meetings of the ‘Nieuwe Republiek Volksraad’ took place in tents, where it was decided to construct a permanent building. On November 14, 1884, the building contract of a government office was awarded at a value of £205 to build from natural materials. The proposed location was in Landdrost Street.
On June 1, 1885, President Lucas Meijer addressed the first meeting of the assembly in their new building, “After lengthy and heavily tried months in which we were obliged to continue our activities in tents, where it was almost impossible to have them performed, we now have the privilege to gather in this new building, although it has not been finished completely.” The building was finally completed in 1885 at a cost of £250. The building served as both the Volksraad and the Magistrate’s Court.
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
