Ladysmith

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Geography and history

On the banks of the Klip River in KwaZulu-Natal is Ladysmith an ideal stopping place for a few hours as it’s about halfway between Johannesburg and Durban. Proclaimed in 1850, the town was named after the wife of Sir Harry Smith, Lady Juana Smith, who was Spanish and is today the commercial centre for surrounding communities. The town also serves as a gateway to the central and northern reaches of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. During winter the snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains form an awe-inspiring backdrop to the town.

Ladysmith was an important transition point for fortune-hunters en route to the Transvaal gold- fields and diamond discoveries at Kimberley and become well known round the world as the site of the 118-day siege. From 30 October 1899 to 28 February 1900, a small army of British soldiers, numbering around 12,000, were held siege by the stock farming Boers.

The Qeduzi dam which lies about 4 kilometres outside of Ladysmith, has lived up to its name of ‘suffering’ by flooding its banks on an yearly basis for about 150 years; then the Spioenkop Nature Reserve, which is about 6000 hectares and 35 kilometres from Ladysmith, offers to those who love water, yachting, fishing and water-skiing opportunities. The Nature reserve spreads out next to the Spioenkop Anglo-Boer War battle site which has links to a range of articles about Ladysmith and its attractions.

Today Ladysmith is the central road and rail intersection where the main routes from Durban diverge towards the Orange Free State and Gauteng. The main activity in the area is horse breeding and ranching.

Geography and history

Places to stay with Accommodation in Ladysmith which includes hotels, self catering accommodation, guest houses, bed and breakfast, lodges etc