The medium sized town of Ladysmith is situated on the banks of the Klip River and was proclaimed in 1850. The town was originally called Windsor but was renamed Ladysmith after the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, first Governor of the Cape Cape Colony, after whom the town of Harrismith was named -- her name was Lady Juana Maria de los Dolores de Leon Smith.
Ladysmith became a prosperous staging-post for fortune-hunters en route to the Transvaal gold-fields and diamond mines at Kimberley and was a crossroads for transport riders between Port Natal (Durban) and the Transvaal. In 1886 the railway reached the town.
During South Africa's Anglo Boer War, Ladysmith made world headlines at the turn of the century when it was besieged for 118 days -- the Ladysmith Siege Museum is a worthwhile visit.
During the siege, food became very scarce and many of the 30,000 inhabitants died from enteric fever. In the final month of the siege, 28 British soldiers a day were being buried at the Intombi Hospital. Many other victims of the siege are buried on Cemetery Hill.
Today Ladysmith is a commercial centre for surrounding communities and the town is a natural gateway to the tourist destinations of the Central and Northern Drakensberg Regions. During winter the snowcapped peaks of the distant uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains form a breathtaking backdrop to the town.
The Cultural Centre in Keat St. houses a discovery room for kids, a Ladysmith achievers room, the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Hall, an art gallery and a conference room.
The town has also been famous in recent times for its frequent flooding by the Klip River. A magnificent dam has been constructed some 4km outside Ladysmith. The dam has been named 'Qedusizi' - 'the end of suffering'.
The Malendeni Bird Sanctuary is an ideal spot for those who enjoy birding and more than 200 species have been identified here on this 1.5km long vlei that adjoins the Klip River.
More interesting museums, historical buildings and battle sites in Ladysmith.
Ladysmith Accommodation
Visit the InfoHub Ladysmith Portal for business information.
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Ladysmith
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