Ivy Newton-Gamble's Blog: Everyday African Food, page 12

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, the business and financial capital of South Africa, developed after the discovery of the Main Reef by George Harrison and George Walker on the farm Langlaagte in March 1886. The site of this significant discovery can be seen in George Harrison Park, about 11 km west of the city centre. The discovery of gold resulted in a rush of fortune-seekers, and a shanty town of over 2 000 inhabitants sprung up. Laid out on the farm Randjieslaagte, the settlement was named after Johann...

Culinary Terms of South Africa

Culinary Terms of South Africa

Biltong is a national delicacy. Similar to American jerky, but totally different, it is made from spiced slices of meat that are hung up – out of the sun – to dry in the wind. The most common variety is beef, but game biltong is also available. Connoisseurs claim that ostrich and kudu biltong are the best.

Bobotie is a traditional Cape Malay dish consisting of a fruity mince curry which is topped with egg custard and lemon or bay leaves, and baked.

Boerewors is...

Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg, also known as The Heritage City, owes its special character to its rich architectural heritage. Laid out on a grid plan, with a market square as the focal point, part of the city's unique atmosphere and charm comes from the network of quaint, narrow pedestrian lanes linking Church and Longmarket streets. Regarded as one of the finest Victorian cities in the world, Pietermaritzburg's numerous historic treasures include the imposing City Hall (1900) – the largest all-brick...

Piggs Peak

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Following the discovery of alluvial gold in north western Swaziland in 1872, a gold-bearing reef was discovered in the hills to the west of the town by a French prospector, William Pigg, in 1884. Mining began soon afterwards, and as the mine was initially an open-cast operation, the 'Peak' soon disappeared. Later, a shaft was sunk and eight levels were mined, with the mine producing some 120 000 ounces of gold between 1889 and 1954. By the mid-1950s, however, the ore body was exhausted and...

Swaziland

[image error]Swaziland is a landlocked country covering 17 363 km2 of highlands, deep valleys, plains and lowlands. Along its eastern boundary, the Lebombo Mountains form a natural boundary with Mozambique and South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, while the western boundary with South Africa is demarcated by several high mountains. Although excavations have provided evidence that Iron Age people lived in the area some 1 600  years ago, the Swazi state was created in the early 1800s under Sobhuza I, who i...

A Farming Village

PRINCE ALBERT

Lying on the northern foothills of the Swartberg range, Prince Albert is a picturesque farming village with an old-world charm. It is renowned for its variety of well-preserved architectural styles, and for its 'Prince Albert gables', which date from 1840–60. This unique gable features the outlines of the 'holbol' gable with a narrow pediment, while horizontal mouldings connect the outlines of the gables. Other building styles include Karoo houses, with their symmetrical façades ...

eMAKHOSINI

[image error]eMakhosini, or the Valley of the Kings, is the birthplace of the Zulu nation. Among its numerous historic sites are Mthonjaneni Spring, from where water was brought for the personal use of King Dingane, and the graves of Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and 69 of his followers. They were killed at KwaMatiwane near uMgungundhlovu on 6 February 1838 on the instructions of Dingane after concluding a land treaty. In the nearby Mkhumbane Valley is the royal village established by Dingane, who...

ULUNDI

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Ulundi, the legislative capital of KwaZulu-Natal, lies on the northern banks of the White Mfolozi River and its Zulu name is translated as 'the high place'. Site of the royal village of the Zulu kingdom, Ulundi is inextricably linked to the history of the Zulu people and their resistance to British colonialism. To the north of the town is the grave of Mpande, who ruled Zululand as king from 1840 to 1872 and established his royal village at Nodwengu, just north of Ulundi, around 1845.
 

HLOBANE

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Hlobane, a Zulu name for 'beautiful place', is a coal-mining centre that witnessed the defeat of British forces by a Zulu impi (regiment) on 28 March 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War. Ascending Hlobane Mountain from the east under cover of darkness, a 675-strong British force was eventually forced to retreat along the Devil's Pass down the Ntendeka Mountain. The British lost 15 officers and 79 men killed, while over 100 irregular troops led by Colonel E Wood as well as followers of Hamu –...

VRYHEID

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Vryheid, an Afrikaans name meaning 'freedom', was established in 1884 as the capital of a Voortrekker republic proclaimed on 16 August of that year. The settlement of a group of Transvaal Voortrekkers in the upper reaches of the White Mfolozi River came after a commando led by Lucas Meyer helped Dinizulu (son of Cetshwayo) to defeat Zibhebhu, a headman who drove Cetshwayo out of power. The 'Nieuwe Republiek' (New Republic) was incorporated into the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) on 20...