History of the Wakkerstroom area
In the verdant heart of Mpumalanga lies Wakkerstroom, a town echoing with the whispers of the past, proudly holding the title of the province’s second-oldest settlement. Perched on the cusp of KwaZulu-Natal, this once tranquil hamlet has blossomed into a vibrant oasis, cradled by expansive landscapes that stretch to the horizon.
Today, Wakkerstroom stands as a haven for those yearning for a respite from the city’s relentless pace. The town is a mosaic of cultural and natural delights, boasting an eclectic array of restaurants, quaint pubs, artisanal shops, and historical landmarks. Each street corner and cobblestone path in Wakkerstroom tells a story, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a leisurely exploration of both its heritage and contemporary allure.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, Wakkerstroom is nothing short of a paradise. The area is adorned with a rich diversity of grassland birds native to South Africa, augmented by a variety of water and forest-dwelling species. The seasonal pans, rejuvenated by the summer rains, become a stage for the elegant dance of the Whiskered Tern, the graceful Great Crested Grebes, and the stately Maccoa ducks.
The transformation of Wakkerstroom from a once-sleepy village to a lively tourist destination is a tribute to its enduring charm. The town invites you to savor its culinary offerings, relax in its cozy eateries, or enjoy a serene picnic by the wetlands. For those seeking adventure, the surrounding region offers a plethora of activities, including mountain biking trails, horseback riding, and guided historical tours, weaving a rich tapestry of experiences for every visitor.
In Wakkerstroom, even your four-legged companions can partake in the joy, with spots like Martin’s Dam offering a perfect playground. Relive history at the Old Train Station, or find tranquility along the Wetland route. Every nook of Wakkerstroom beckons with undiscovered stories, waiting for you to write your own chapter in this enchanting town. (https://www.getaway.co.za/things-to-do/dorps/discovering-mpumalanga-10-towns-beyond-the-beaten-path/)
The following information is intended to enhance your enjoyment of the area by adding an historical perspective to the features that the casual visitor can see in Wakkerstroom and the surrounding areas. It was gleaned from many sources (see list of suggested reading) by John McAllister and particular thanks are due to Elna Kotze and Chris Smit for their assistance and advice. Much of the information on Zulu/Swazi history and legend was related to him by Mandla Sithole, Norman Mncube, Themba Thusi, Sipho Dladla and Jafta Ngwenya.
| The Khoisan | 1 |
| Settlement by Nguni and Sotho peoples | 1 |
| The Mfecane and its effects on the Wakkerstroom area | 2 |
| Mandlangampisi | 3 |
| Mthonga | 4 |
| Early days in the town of Wakkerstroom | 4 |
| British Annexation of the Transvaal | 5 |
| The War of Independence (1880-81) | 6 |
| The railway line from Durban to the Witwatersrand | 7 |
| The Anglo-Boer South African War (1899-1902) | 7 |
| Driefontein | 8 |
| Towards a brighter future | 9 |
The Khoisan
The earliest known people that lived in the Wakkerstroom area were the Khoisan. Many examples of rock art usually attributed to them can be found in the area. These people were undoubtedly attracted to the vast herds of game that were found on the grassland plains of the area. The herds were mainly migratory and were attracted to the rich bounty offered by the regenerating grasslands after the first spring rains As the summer progressed these grasses would become less and less palatable until, by the time the first frosts of autumn arrived they would have withdrawn most, if not all, of their nutrients into their root systems. The herds would move on to other pastures and the Khoisan would probably follow them and not remain in the Wakkerstroom area during the winter months.
Settlement by Nguni and Sotho peoples
It seems likely that the first Nguni or Sotho people may have arrived in the Wakkerstroom area in the 15th Century or earlier. Whether they settled in the area, visited it occasionally or merely passed through it on their way to somewhere else is not clear.
Gradually the area was settled by these people. In the mid 18th Century the death of Ngwane, the chief of a small group of Nguni people of the same name, resulted in a struggle for succession between two of his sons, Ludonga and Dlamini. The Ngwane were the nucleus of the people later to be known as the Swazi nation. Ludonga and a band of his supporters eventually fled and hid in a cave on Mhlongamvula, part of the KwaMandlangampisi mountain complex overlooking the present day hamlets of Dirkiesdorp to the north and Lüneburg to the south. The Khoisan people who occupied the cave at the time were evicted and the Swazi occupation of the area to the east of Wakkerstroom began. Around the same time the Hlubi, a Sotho tribe, were ensconced in the catchment of the upper umZinyathi (Buffalo) River in the area of the present-day towns of Wakkerstroom, Volksrust, Utrecht and Vryheid.
Further to the south-east Dingiswayo, after unsuccessfully trying to oust his father, Jobe, as ruler of the Mthethwa fled into exile. For at least part of his time in exile he gained refuge among the Hlubi. After Jobe’s death Dingiswayo returned to Mthethwa territory and ousted his brother who had succeeded Jobe. Dingiswayo is credited with developing and implementing the age-regiment system among the Mthethwa – a system that was soon used to great effect by his General and protégé – Shaka.
Dingiswayo and Zwide welded together a number of smaller tribes into two major opposing tribal confederations in eastern South Africa – the Mthethwa and the Ndwandwe. Their bitter enmity resulted in Dingiswayo being killed by Zwide in 1818. To honour Dingiswayo’s name Langalibalele, the Hlubi chief born in this year, was given the second name of Mthethwa. The Balelesberge south of Wakkerstroom were named after the Hlubi chief.
Zwide and the Ndwandwe were defeated by Shaka near Ulundi and the tribe scattered. Although Zwide died elsewhere in 1825 it is rumoured that he was buried on a farm between Wakkerstroom and Volksrust.
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