Ladysmith (South Africa)

Geography

Ladysmith is located at the edge of the river Klip (stone river) in the district of uThukela at the center of KwaZulu-Native, 230 km in the North-West of Durban and 365 km in the south-east of Johannesburg (province of the Gauteng).

Put besides its tourism industry, the city also includes/understands an important textile industry, tires and of conditioning of food.

History

Ladysmith was founded in 1847 by the pioneers Voortrekkers.

In 1850, it became capital transitory République Boer Klip River whose chief was Andries Spies. Transitory because the same year, the small republic was annexed by the British with their colony of the Natal.

The city owes its name in Lady Juana Maria Smith, the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, Gouverneur Britannique of the Colonie of the Cape and high commissioner in South Africa of 1847 with 1852.

In 1879, a fort was built to protect the city from the attacks of Impis Zoulou S.

But it is with the Guerre of Boers that Ladysmith owes its international repute when it was besieged by Boers during 118 days, of the November 2nd 1899 with the February 28th 1900. More than 3000 British soldiers were killed during the seat but the city did not fall. The mahatma Mohandas Gandhi was used for Ladysmith at the side of the British. A statue pays to him homage opposite the temple dedicated to Vishnu.

The city became in the Fifties a rail junction, which contributed to its industrial development.

The policy of Apartheid touched the city in the Sixties with the forced displacement of the Indians who had to leave the district of business of the downtown area.

As from 1995, new municipal structures were set up including the towns of Ladysmith, Steadville and of Ezakheni. In 2000, new municipal demarcations increased the district of Ladysmith. The city is henceforth dissociated by the town of Van Reenen to the north and that of Colenso in the south.

External bond

Site of the town of Ladysmith

Ladysmith

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