Volksrust

Afrikaans name: Volksrust

Photo © Steven Herbert

Mpumalanga

Volksrust is a small town on the border between Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The town is located on the northern bank of the aptly named Grensspruit which means Border Creek.

The town has two significant statues related to the Anglo-Boer wars. The first statue commemorates those who died in the war of 1880 to 1881 and the second to the 772 women and children who died in the local British Concentration camp between 1899 to 1902.

Volksrust is near the mountain named 'Majuba' which is where the Battle of Majuba was fought. It was here, on 27 February 1881, that the Boers beat the British army during the First Boer War. Volksrust was proclaimed after the Battle of Majuba, in 1889. Its name is Dutch and translates to 'Nations Rest'. The town supposedly got this name as travellers heading to Natal, as it was known back then, would rest in the area before continuing their journeys. Some other references say the town got its name after the Boer forces rested there after defeating the British in the battle.

A variety of farming is done in the region. These include dairy and beef, maize, sunflowers, sorghum and wool. Eskom built a power station named Majuba in the region.

What is there to do in the Volksrust area?

References and further reading

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 90

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 240

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 103

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 280

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 224

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 176

Drive Out 4X4 Trail Guide - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 58

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 153

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 269

South Africa History Online - Volksrust

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