Free State provincial article - South African Vacations

part of the larger wetland area, visitors will be able to spot several of the over 350 species
of birds that have been identified here. Of the 350 species identified, some 21 are Red
Data listed species, such as the three species of cranes, African marsh harrier, whitebellied
korhaan, grass owl and the elusive white-winged flufftale. Grassland birds that have
made the reserve their home include the southern bald ibis, blue korhaan and Rudd’s and
Botha’s larks. Six bird hides interlinked with walkways will increase the possibility of
observing the birds. At night, small carnivores, such as the white-tailed mongoose and the
African wild cat, come out to play and during the day visitors can view some ten different
species of game, such as roan antelope, zebra, buffalo, red hartebeest and black
wildebeest. Hippopotami have recently been reintroduced to the reserve, 100 years after
the last one was shot in this area. Visitors are welcome to fish, to go canoeing or to take
short walks and hikes through the reserve.
HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURE
British Forts: The British erected forts along the escarpment for defence purposes during
the Anglo-Boer War, which still stand.
Rebellion Memorial: The Rebellion Memorial, to commemorate the 1914 Rebellion of the
Boers against the British, was erected in front of the Dutch Reformed Church. The rebellion
was planned on the farm Allenvale and executed from there. It was the result of many
Afrikaners disagreeing with the South African government about whether or not South
Africa should invade the German Colony of South West Africa on behalf of Britain. Many
Afrikaners were still bitter about the Anglo-Boer War and did not want to fight on the side of
the British. Furthermore, many regarded and were in fact related to the people of the then
South West Africa (now Namibia). The memorial also marks the spot where General
Christiaan de Wet’s son, who died during the uprising, is buried. General de Wet was one
of the Boer leaders who instigated the rebellion.
NATURAL WONDERS
Wetlands: The Memel wetland area incorporated into the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve,
two km north of Memel, is one of the largest remaining wetland areas of its kind in South
Africa. Some 220 oxbow lakes (small curved lakes in the floodplains of rivers, the
remnants of former meanders) have formed over many centuries and now form one of the
few remaining sponge areas in the Vaal River catchment area. The area supports a prolific
community of birds, especially water birds, and has been declared a Wetland of
International Importance (RAMSAR).
PAUL ROUX
In 1909, the Reverend Paul Roux, a firebrand minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, who
had been a general during the Anglo-Boer War, founded the town. The town, in the Sand
River Valley, is surrounded by typical Eastern Free State sandstone cliffs, the source of the
sandstone used in many of the buildings in the town. The town also produces poplar wood
for the safety match industry. Paul Roux is the birthplace of one of South Africa's Prime
Ministers, Mr PW Botha.
ADVENTURE AND SPORT
Hiking: Hiking trails have been marked out on the farms Vingerpol and Holhoek, where
hikers can view old Sotho dwellings dating back to 1815, as well as the hollow cliff where
President PW Botha’s mother and other Boer women sought refuge from the British during
the Anglo-Boer War. The only hiking trail for disabled persons in the Free State has been
established on Holhoek farm. The 5-km trail is accessible to wheelchairs.
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