Utrecht

In 1852 a group of voortrekkers settled along the Buffalo River, very much against the wishes of the Transvaal Government, who thought the British might consider their proximity a provocation.

The settlers gave the ruling Zulu King 100 head of cattle in exchange for grazing rights in a large area. They elected their own government and named their 'capital' and 'country' Utrecht, after the city in Holland.

The little republic then changed its allegiance several times. Soon realising that they could not support independence, they approached the Transvaal Government, asking to be incorporated into the Transvaal. This was refused, but the Republic of Lyndenburg incorporated Utrecht.

Four years later, when Lyndenburg rejoined the Transvaal Republic, Utrecht went with it. At the end of the Anglo-Boer War Utrecht was returned to Natal, now renamed KwaZulu Natal, where it seems likely to stay.

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