Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

Historic sites trail: Follow this 2-km walking trail through the town that leads to
all the town’s many cultural and historical treasures. It is well worth the effort.
Museum Complex and Parsonage: In 1898, a new parsonage, in an adapted
Victorian style, was built for Professor J Lion Cachet. Today, it is the main
building of the Museum Complex and houses impressive collections of
weapons and period clothing, a pioneer’s kitchen, language room, lecture
room and the Postma/Cachet Chamber. The Coetzee House was built in 1847
and houses the technological room, Xhosa and Voortrekker Room as well as a
library with a rare collection of Africana and Bibles. De Bruin House, built in
1847, a typical Karoo design with cow-dung floors and reed ceilings, is also
part of the complex. Period farm implements, wagons and carts are exhibited
under the lean-tos.
Old Gaol: Built in 1861, the old gaol is best remembered as the place where
Piet Klopper, one of the first Boer “rebels” in the Cape Colony, was executed.
Reformed Theological Seminary: On 11 November 1869, the outside building
of Prof Dirk Postma’s parsonage was opened as the Reformed Theological
Seminary. Prof Postma was the first lecturer and Prof J Lion Cachet the
second. The building was used as seminary until the end of 1904 when the
seminary was transferred to Potchefstroom. The present Potchefstroom
University developed from this institution.
Sentinel: Battle of Stormberg: A large number of Boers lost their lives at the
Battle of Stormberg during the Anglo-Boer War. This British blockhouse is
another reminder of the hardships endured during this tragic war.
Victoria Jubilee Fountain: The fountain is one of only five similar fountains in
the world, erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
CACADU (LADY FRERE)
Originally named after the wife of Sir Henry Bartle Frere, the then Governor of
the Cape, the town’s name was changed to “Cacadu”, name of a nearby river,
after the town was incorporated into the now defunct Homeland of Ciskei.
Cacadu (Lady Frere) serves as the centre for the Glen Grey farming district.
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