Badplaas / eManzana

Afrikaans name: Badplaas

Badplaas

Photo © Steven Herbert

Mpumalanga

Badplaas, now known as eManzana, was established in 1876. It is a small town situated on the R38 between Carolina and Barberton. It is located near the Hlumuhlumu Hills which provide a scenic backdrop to the town.

The main claim to fame in the area is the hot spring which spews out 30,000 litres of water, with a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius, every hour. The spring was first discovered by Swazi tribesmen who gave it a name of 'Emanzana' which means healing waters. The spring now forms part of a resort.

When gold was discovered near Barberton in the 1880's there was a stampede of miners to that area. On weekends many of the more successful miners would visit the hot springs to refresh themselves after toiling in the mines all week.

There is a small nature reserve in the area which is home to various species of antelope including Black Wildebeest, Eland and Red Hartebeest.

Been to Badplaas? Share your experiences there.

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 123

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 285

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 242

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 42

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 178

Wikipedia - Badplaas

---

Top