Discover Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape
For those with a sense of adventure, a small town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, named Burgersdorp, is the ideal location to explore. It used to be the original homeland of the San, or Bushmen, and there is evidence of their occupation found in the surrounding areas. The town is filled with historical buildings and museums, and even ghost hunters will discover a few stories, while fishermen and hikers will so find perfect locations to relax in. Burgersdorp might be one of the smaller towns in this province, but it has so much to offer.
Burgersdorp is blanketed in history, as Robert Gordon first came to the area in the 1700s. The town developed and grew at such a rate that there were over three hundred and fifty farmers in the area by the year 1835. The Stormberg foothills were the ideal location for farmers and the population of this era laid the groundwork for the town that exists today. The town was also the location where a massive historical battle took place during the Anglo-Boer War, which is now referred to as the South African War. The encounter became known as the Battle of Stormberg, where a mere four hundred Boer fighters took on the British army and won the fight. In 1908 the iconic General Koos de la Rey unveiled a monument here, dedicated to those who lost their lives during this war, and it can still be seen today. Another monument was erected to The Triumph of the Dutch Language, and in 1897, the Jubilee Fountain was erected to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
For hikers, there are two hiking trails. One takes hikers through the landscapes surrounding the town and includes sightings of plant fossils and San rock art. The other is a two kilometer trail that maps out the route past all the historical sites in Burgersdorp. The battle site near Stormberg is a popular attraction, as well as the Kroonvlei adventure trails. Museum enthusiasts will enjoy the Afrikaans Language Museum, established in 1893, and the 1898 Burgersdorp Museum Complex. The De Bruin House forms a part of the museum, and it is here that you might encounter some of the visitors who have never left Burgersdorp. The old jail is another attraction worth visiting, and Piet Klopper was the very first Boer rebel to be executed here. The Blockhouse (from the second Boer War) was recognized in 1939 as a National Monument. With so much to see and do in Burgersdorp, it is most definitely worth the visit.
