Utrecht, KwaZulu-Natal
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| Utrecht | |
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| — Town — | |
  Utrecht
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| Coordinates: 27°39′36″S 30°19′48″E / 27.66°S 30.33°ECoordinates: 27°39′36″S 30°19′48″E / 27.66°S 30.33°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District Municipality | Amajuba |
| Local Municipality | eMadlangeni |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| Website | http://www.utrecht.co.za |
Utrecht is a small town in the foothills of the Balele Mountains in the North Western corner of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Newcastle, Kwazulu Natal's third largest urban center is 50 km away from Utrecht. Utrecht boasts a population of approximately 32000 people including the surrounding areas.
Coal mining and cattle ranching are the predominant economic activities of the citizens of Utrecht.
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[edit] History
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| Historical states in present-day South Africa |
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In 1843 the English annexed the Klip River Republic. Most of the inhabitants moved to the latter day Free State and Transvaal, but three of them, A. T. Spies, J. C. Klopper and C. J. van Rooyen, traded land east of the Buffalo River for 300 cattle in 1852 from King Mpande. Van Rooyen, who spoke isiZulu fluently, was a personal friend of King Mpande, and even salved him in the biblical manner a few years earlier. Even before 1852 Van Rooyen had permission to use this tract of land as grazing.
The majority of Northern Natal was uninhabited, as King Sjaka, circa 1820, got rid of the amaHlubi (the Hlubi-tribe), who were the then inhabitants. The amaZulu never inhabited this land.
In the archives the settlers who moved there with the trio were called the "Buffel rivier maatschappij" (Buffalo River Society).
In a proclamation dated 27 December 1852, the "Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic", the ZAR, by a letter signed by Commander-General A. W. J. Pretorius (the hero of the Battle of Blood River) warned them that the ZAR did not recognize this transaction. This is due to a fear of antagonizing the English, as they would be neighbors on the Buffalo River after the annexation of the Klip River Republic. This warning was re-issued during December 1853, in a letter written to a certain "Phillip Koch and the rest of the inhabitants of the area of the Buffalo River". (My translation)
The same inhabitants wanted to be incorporated into the ZAR, but the latter wanted none of this. On 8 September 1854 the trio named above, again traded the same land for a further 100 cattle, but then had this bill of sale signed, which can be viewed in the Transvaal Archive:
| “ | Dumasoela 8 September 1854
Bij deze neemd ik de staad den vrijheid bij mijn outoriteit Panda Konig der Zoelas dat ik een deel van mijn gronde verhandelt heeft aan de ondergetekende Emigranten voor een honderd beesten het welke ik op datum deser als contant ontvangen heef te zegge degronde hier onder vermeld als een Eewig durende Eigendom der Emigranten: XXXXXXX (de merk betekend naam Panda) De lijn zal zijn alwaar bloet revier in buffel revier loop en langes bloet revier op verder langes de buitenste spruit (Lynspruit) op en onder de gebergtes langs alle open gronde die nu niet door Pandas kaffers bewoond is tot aan de ronde kop tusschen de twee spruiten van Pongola en tot vast aan de lijn der vrije republiek en alle in geslote gronde tot aan de Btitsche lijn. Als getuigen J. C. Klopper P. W. Jordaan C. J. van Rooyen J. G. Herbst A. T. Spies Aldus gedaan en bekragtig op Datum deser xxxxxx (De merk beteken de naam Mapasha). |
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The Republic of Utrecht (after the forming of the New Republic on its eastern side, which was known as the Old Republic), existed until 1858, when it joined the Republic of Lydenburg. This republic then joined the ZAR in 1860. Utrecht and Vryheid (the capital of the former New Republic) were part of the ZAR until 31 May 1902, when the ZAR surrendered to Great Britain. After this, both towns (and their districts) were incorporated into Natal as spoils of war.
[edit] Historial & Other Facts
Tucked away in the corner of the picturesque Balele mountains lies Utrecht, a rare gem, unique because it lies within a game park.
Established in 1854, the town is steeped in history, which is reflected in beautiful historical buildings like the Old Parsonage Museum, the Dutch Reformed sandstone church, the unique old military cemetery and stately colonial houses and other buildings.
Utrecht does not only offer an historical experience to the tourist. The picturesque Balele mountains with its waterfalls and ecological diversity is home to a wealth of fauna and flora, especially in the Balele Game Park which encircles the town.
The conservancy and district offers a variety of experiences that include hiking and horse trails, trout fishing in dams of the pristine Bivane river, birding as well as water sport at the recreation resort.
The Utrecht district is the tribal domain of no fewer than 5 Amakosi (Zulu Chiefs) who, today play an active role in the development of the area. The Mangosuthu Arts and Crafts village with backpacker accommodation and craft shop that sells a variety of traditional Zulu articles is a must!
Utrecht has excellent agricultural potential and is the most important wool producing area in KwaZulu-Natal. It is, however, also a major cattle and mixed farming region. Farm holidays are on offer to the city dweller in search of an alternative experience.
[edit] Municipality
Utrecht is the seat of the local eMadlageni municipality and the Amajuba District Municipality. The Amajuba District Municipality is the fifth-most-densely-populated district in KwaZulu-Natal, comprising Dannhauser (1516 km²), Newcastle (1956 km²), and Utrecht (3539 km²). The average population density recorded in Amajuba was 67.7 people per km² in 2001. The district was home to 468,030 people in that year, with 22% residing in Dannhauser, 72% residing in Newcastle and 7% in Utrecht.
[edit] Schools
- Utrecht High School
- Utrecht Primary School
- eMalahleni Combined School
- Bersig
[edit] References
- Transvaal Archive
- Utrechtse Eeufeesgedenkboek 1854 - 1954
[edit] Notes
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