Ladysmith

Located on the banks of the erratic Klip River, Ladysmith was founded by a group of ranchers in 1847. They declared the independent Klip River Republic, though it was another of the transitory Boer states, as British authority was declared over the area a few months later. The British planned a town to be the administrative centre of the district and named it Ladysmith in honour of the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, then Governor of the Cape.

Ladysmith became famous during the Anglo-Boer War, when Boers besieged the British Garrison town for 118 days. They were trying to stop the British from continuing north into the Boer republic of Traansvaal.

Relief came for the beleaguered citizens and soldiers in February 1900, when morale was at its lowest and dysentery had begun to take its toll. The column of British soldiers who finally freed Ladysmith had suffered several defeats at the hands of the Boers on their march south, due to the Boers' guerrilla tactics.

Today Ladysmith is an important road and rail junction where the main routes from Durban diverge towards the Orange Free State and Gauteng. The main activity in the area is horse breeding and ranching. Corn, soya beans, oats, fruit and vegetables are also perfectly suited to growing in this warm climate.

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