LYDENBURG (including Kellysville and Mashishing)

It all happens this side of the mountain!

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thaba Chweu Municipality

Mayor: Ms Clara Ndlovu

GEOGRAPHY

Lydenburg, the town a buzz with new developments, is situated at the foothills of the famous Long Tom Pass and surrounded by the Steenkampsberg and Mauchsberg mountain ranges - the highest points in Mpumalanga. 1,469m a.s.l the town experiences a climate typical of the Mpumalanga middleveld with cool to cold nights and warm days and its central location, only 290kms from Pretoria, makes it THE ideal stopover place to explore not only the well known Panorama route / Kruger Park but our new 'off the beaten track' routes - the beautiful Waterfall river valley; the trip over De Berg to the little hamlet of Tonteldoos; or the trip over Witklip Pass to the picturesque Kwena Basin. Four streams, namely the Dorps river, Sterkspruit, Doringbergspruit and the Klipgatspruit either run through or on the outskirts of Lydenburg making it a fisherman's haven!

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Lydenburg was founded in 1849 by the Voortrekker leader, Hendrik Potgieter. The town flourished and was the main commercial centre for the old 'north eastern Transvaal'. It was a Republic from 1857 to 1860. Turbulent times followed during 1876 to 1879 when the Bapedi wars were concluded with the capture of Sekhukhune 1st after the Battle of Tshate.

Dissatisfaction with British rule led to the start of the 1st Anglo Boer War 1880, and Lydenburg was held under siege - the Brits surviving thanks to Lieut. Long's wife, Mary!
During the 2nd Anglo Boer war Lydenburg was garrisoned after the battle of Long Tom Pass September 1900 until the end of the war May 1902, by the British forces.
But long before the European settlers, Lydenburg had been visited by migrating people who have left behind a remarkable record of their dwellings and terraced farmlands. The Lydenburg "heads", clay heads unearthed near the town, form an important link in the archaeological findings of the area.

To the west of Lydenburg, over the Dorps river lie the suburbs of Extension 2, Kellysville and Mashishing ( a Pedi word meaning Place of the long grass), vibrant communities whose dedicated service over the years has contributed much to the growth and development of the greater Lydenburg community. Mashishing has an interesting history. The area was originally called Marambane, a name derived from the word mahambane meaning to walk, a name used to describe the gold prospectors, Abomahambane, who scoured the hills and valleys around Lydenburg at the turn of the century in search of gold.
One of the first secondary schools in the region was located here, attracting students and their families from the many smaller local communities. The Marambane Primary School, which was opened in March 1942, was built by the Lydenburg United Church. One of the famous sons of Mashishing was Gert Skhosana, a deacon in the NGK, who championed the causes and interests of this community in a lifetime of dedicated service.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Painters, wood carvers, stained glass artists, botanical sketch artist are just some of the talented artists residing in this area. An annual exhibition is held in the Civic center to display and market their wares.

Lydenburg has a number of restaurants, one which is housed in the remains of the first boarding house/inn of Lydenburg.

The Lydenburg Museum is well worth a visit, boasting in addition to its indoor displays, a display of "Outside Art", concrete figures created by the late Mr Dick Heysteck.

SPORTS AND ADVENTURE

The "Rooikats" are our active and enthusiastic rugby players with extensive grounds on the banks of the Sterkspruit river. A strong cycling and running club arrange a number of events during the year, the most well known of which is the Long Tom Marathon, a gruelling road race from Sabie to Lydenburg, running over the Long Tom Pass. A different "Rooikat" activity is the long hike through the Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, about 10 kms outside Lydenburg town.

For the motor enthusiast an annual 4x4 rally is held when the town becomes 'a roar' to the sound of well tuned engines, and our local Golf Club welcomes visitors who can enjoy a leisurely round of golf or partake in the annual Strelitzia golf tournament held in aid of cancer.

SCIENCE AND NATURE

The greater Lydenburg area experiences a wide variety of ecosystems, from the rugged montane grassveld to the lush bushveld and is a nature lovers / birders paradise. Right on our doorstep is the Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve which comprises an area of 2,200 hectare, with typical escarpment fauna and flora. The reserve is named in honour of the late Gustav Klingbiel, a former Lydenburg Town Council member, who campaigned to have the area declared as a nature reserve. From orchids to cycads, trees to ferns, Lydenburg area is a wealth of unique flora.

The Lydenburg Waterfall, 16 km north-east of the town on the Dorps river, consists of 3 waterfalls in one. It is regarded as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Mpumalanga. Two of the falls lie next to each other and plunge into a deep pool which feeds the third fall. The hydro electric power station, belonging to the municipality, is situated at the foot of the two falls. The total height of the 3 falls together is 244 metres.

EXTRAORDINARY

The most exciting and extraordinary happening in the greater Lydenburg district is the recent sighting of a black leopard. Known to have been in the area for some years these elusive animals are proving to be quite camera shy but thanks to some very enthusiastic individuals one may soon be photographed in the wild! First prize would be if one is captured so dna samples can be taken and a proper genetic study of the black leopard, Panthera pardus can follow.

Lydenburg is the biggest Iron Age site in South Africa, the many circles of rocks on the hillsides a reminder of the early inhabitants to this beautiful part of our country. According to archaeological reports, rock engravings or petroglyphs are associated with this period of our history. On the farm Boomplaas, north west of Lydenburg, one can but wonder at who the people were and why they engraved circles, geckos and other shapes into the rocks. These have been declared a national monument and in partnership with sponsors and the Bomplaas community there is huge potential for future development in tourism.