The aftermath of the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 left the remnants of the Zulu Kingdom in the hands of Uzibhebhu, Dinizulu’s uncle. Dinizulu, the rightful heir, enlisted military support from the Boers in restoring him as king. After a successful campaign Dinuzulu was sworn in and in return the Boers were granted a large tract of land.
One of Shaka's first tasks after his installation as an 'in kosi' (chief) of the Zulu polity was to return to kwaNobamba, Senzangakhona's principal homestead, which had been Jama's before him. Here Shaka was welcomed by Mnkabayi kaJama, Senzangakhona's elder sister, who had a strong and domineering personality and a taste for political power acquired when she acted as co-regent after Jama's death in about 1781. She was one of few people who showed kindness and support for Nandi (Shaka's mother) and Shaka during the turbulent and miserable time they endured when they lived with Senzangakhona and his people. It would seem that Mnkabayi, who was a strong-willed, shrewd and calculating woman, must have recognized Shaka's leadership potential and supported him in his drive for the Zulu chieftainship. Shaka never forgot this and subsequently rewarded her by making her head ofthe emBelebeleni ikhanda (military barracks) near the present-day Ulundi.
Vryheid is the largest town in the AbaQulusi Municipal area in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and is the heartbeat of a vast regional area. Situated 1178M ABOVE SEA LEVEL, it has an average temperature of 25C in summer and 11.9C in winter. It falls within the summer rainfall area, and has an average annual precipitation of 780mm as compared with the whole of South Africa at 502mm.
Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you can explore forest, wetland, grassland and mountains. Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you have access to over 340 bird species, a number of indigenous mammals and a few thousand plant species. Imagine a place where, within a few minutes drive, you can combine all of the above with battlefields, cultural and commercial interests as well as numerous outdoor activities, culinary adventures, first-world housing and shopping, and be within a stone’s throw of all Zululand has to offer. Stop imagining: Welcome to Vryheid!
Travelling in the direction of the rising sun, the area of Vryheid holds the greatest diversity of trees in the province, as well as fantastic birding and game viewing and some important historical and religious sites. This region is the centre of the coal mining area and contains open grassland and bushveld, interspersed with some impressive mountains. The tarred R69 leads one to Louwsburg (70km), Pongola (140km) and the Mkhuze Game Reserve (230km).
The area north of Vryheid is primarily afforested; wattle, pine and gum being the dominant species. Open, often rocky, grassland covers the unplanted areas, with small wetlands and forest patches scattered in between. The two main rivers in this area are the Bivane and Phongola, both renowned for good fishing. This region is also steeped in German history and culture due to the arrival of German settlers in the mid 1800s. Water is one of the main attractions, with a bottling plant and hot water springs in the Bivane valley. The R33 tar road links Vryheid with Paulpietersburg (50km) and the neighbouring Mpumalanga Province (65km).
South of Vryheid lie open, tall grassland, bushveld and rolling bush-clad hills. The area is predominantly a cattle and game farming area, with some heat-loving crops grown in the hot Thaka River valley. The R34 road leads to the historical Ulundi (130km) and the famous Hluhluwe / iMfolozi Park (170km) as well as Melmoth (130km), Eshowe (170km), Richards Bay (230km) and eventually Durban (320km).
The open grasslands and wetlands to the west of Vryheid offer something completely different from the wooded habitats ofthe south and east. This area is the prime grain and ground-nut growing region and is the location of many important historical sites and haunting battlefields.
Situated in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and depending on where you are going, Vryheid is the gateway to the North Coast, to Durban, to the Drakensberg, the Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. It's also only a stone's throw from Swaziland, and a wonderful stopover with a wide range of accommodation and other tourism-related facilities available. You could be tempted to stay a while!
The natural world in and around Vryheid has a way of getting under one's skin. The quiet, scenic beauty of the town nestling at the foot of the friendly Lancaster Hill, or Vryheid Hill as it's known to the locals, spells magical enchantment that warms the heart and touches the soul. The grasslands have their own specific smell, the forest patches have unique muffled sounds, the spring flowers have their shy but splendid colours and the misty hill evokes a feeling of well-being and a sense of belonging.