Frances Baard District Municipality Investment Prospectus

12
TOURISM BATTLEFIELDS ROUTE
The Anglo-Boer War in the Northern Cape
The major battles of the Western Campaign of the Anglo-Boer War
all took place within 120km of Kimberley, in the northern part of
the Cape Colony (today’s Northern Cape). Hours after they had
declared war against England in an attempt to preempt an attack by
the colonial power, the Boers from the two independent states of the
South Africa Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State moved
into Natal and the Cape Colony on three fronts. Within three days they
had besieged the town of Kimberley.
The town’s military authorities under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Kekewich proclaimed martial law and set
about preparing for the Boer attack. This didn’t happen but
shelling of the town began and the Boers set about trying to
starve the town into submission.
The details of the siege, including the victories and setbacks
suffered by the relief column under Lieutenant-General Methuen, can
be relieved at the Magersfontein and McGregor Museums. Included
are the battles of Orange River Station, Modder River, Magersfontein,
Belmont Graspan and the story of the eventual relief by General
French and his calvary.
The N12 effectively mirrors the plan of attack of the British
as they moved northwards towards Kimberley across the
Modder River towards the catastrophic battle, for the British,
at Magersfontein.
Before dawn on 11 December 1899, the Boers opened fire on
the Highland Brigade from their concealed trench at the base
of Magersfontein Hill. It was a legendary Boer victory, but the
memorials and graves at the site speak of casualties on both
sides. A must-see is the Magersfontein Museum and lookout
point on the hill. The museum has an audiovisual presentation
that offers visitors a first-hand experience of battle from a
darkened Boer trench.
The N8 towards Bloemfontein will take you to the site of the bad
defeat subsequently suffered by the Boers at Paardeberg where
General Cronje surrendered.
The McGregor Museum in Kimberley is the former residence of
Cecil John Rhodes, the mining magnate. He was trapped in Kimberley
during the siege and was an influential voice among the British
leadership. The museum houses a siege display, where the story of
the siege and eventual relief of Kimberley is told.
Worth a visit: McGregor Museum in Kimberley and the Magersfontein
Museum and monuments. There is also the Paardeberg Battlefield
Museum at Paardeberg.
McGregor Museum
Tel: +27 53 839 2700
Website: www.museumsnc.co.za