2 | Voortrekker - Zulu Wars

Kerkenberg

Kerkenberg, Olivier’s Hoek Pass Area, Free State

201 | 21st October 1837 The Trekkers reached this site in mid October and stayed through till mid November, sending … Read More

Blijde Vooruitzicht

Blijde Vooruitzicht, Olivier’s Hoek Pass Area, KwaZulu-Natal

202 | This monument stands on the top of Retief’s Pass and is the point where his party stood and … Read More

Doornkop

Doornkop, Chieveley Area, KwaZulu-Natal

203 | 10th January Onwards – Chieveley Area near N3/R74 junction Retief arrived at this laager site on the 10th … Read More

Saailaager

Saailaager, Estcourt Area, KwaZulu-Natal

204 | 12 February 1838 The Zulus attacked the Voortrekker laagers in the Bushman’s River area after the execution of … Read More

Rensburg Koppie

Rensburg Koppie, Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal

205 | 17 February 1838 Marthinus Oosthuyse became one of the heroes of the Trek when on the 17th February … Read More

Veglaer

Veglaer, Estcourt Area, KwaZulu-Natal

206 | The site of a three day attack by Zulus on the Voortrekkers’ laager (13-15 February 1838). The actual … Read More

Bloukrans

Bloukrans, Estcourt Area, KwaZulu-Natal

207 | After the execution of Retief and his men at Mgungundlovu, King Dingane despatched his junior regiments to drive … Read More

Ithaleni Battlefield

Ithaleni Battlefield, Mgungundlovu Area, KwaZulu-Natal

208 | April 1838 In April 1838 a Voortrekker Commando led by Uys and Maritz set out to recover the … Read More

Sooilaager

Sooilaager, Loskop Station Area, KwaZulu-Natal

209 | 19th June to 1838 Maritz built a defensive laager using sods to build a wall underneath the wagons. … Read More

Skiets Drift

Skiets Drift, Ladysmith/Winterton Area, KwaZulu-Natal

210 | This drift was used by many Voortrekker parties including those of Maritz and Uys when they first entered … Read More

Danskraal

68 Park Lane, Ladysmith, 3370, South Africa

211 | The story has it that Pretorius’ Commando stopped here on its way to Blood River and a Dance … Read More

Wasbank Laager

Wasbank Laager, Wasbank, KwaZulu-Natal

212 | It is at this laager on the 7th Dec 1838 that Pretorius, Landman and Cilliers formulated the “The … Read More

Blood River Museum & Heritage Site

Blood River Battlefield, Dundee Area, KwaZulu-Natal

213 | 16 December 1838 On the 16 December 1838 the Zulu Army numbering some 12 000 warriors and led … Read More

Grave of Piet Retief

Grave of Piet Retief, Ulundi Area, KwaZulu-Natal

214 | Piet Retief and his party were executed here on the orders of King Dingane. The Memorial is near … Read More

Ophathe Battlefield

Ulundi Area, Part of Emakhosini Opathe Park, KwaZulu-Natal

215 | 27 December 1838 When the Wenkommando reached Mthonjaneni, they were deceived by a Zulu named Bongoza into believing … Read More

Barefoot Lady

Barefoot Lady, Olivier’s Hoek Pass Area, KwaZulu-Natal

216 | After the British occupation of Natal in 1842 many of the Trekkers decided to migrate either back over … Read More

The Grave of Marthinus Oosthuyse

The Grave of Marthinus Oosthuyse, Winterton Area, KwaZulu-Natal

217 | 17 February 1838 Marthinus became one of the heroes of the Trek when on the 17th February 1838, … Read More

King Cetshwayo’s Grave by Gill Maujean

Maybe his descendants should preserve these places and put some money into their maintenance.

O’Neil’s Cottage by Margaret Ann van der Spuy

Hello Marty Did you receive the What'sApp I sent you this morning with regard my Grandparent Stephen Gregory and Ellen Norah o'Neill?

O’Neil’s Cottage by Margaret Ann van der Spuy

Good morning Marty, It is with interest that I read reach done by you on the O'Neil family name. I too have tried to get info as my Mother was an O'Neill. According to her the surname had 2 l's so I have gone on that. Her Father was Stephen Gregory who was Baptized in the Catholic Cathedral in Bloemfontein. Her Mother was Ellen Norah (I am not really sure of her maiden name but think a Margaret Marr came in somewhere) My Grandfather was a Transport Rider who had a huge black horse where my Mother. as a very young child. was put on to go for a ride much to my Grandmother's dismay! On my Grandmother's side a nurse maid saved her or her Mother from a Zulu attach by hiding in the fields. She had 2 brothers. Somewhere along the line my Grandmother or her Mother ended up in an orphanage in Ladybrand. Reading this through makes very interesting reading and almost a plot for a movie. I have been to the cottage many years ago and it was in a terrible state. Black Jack's everywhere and we could not go inside. Mustnakd a plan to pay another visit there some time. I would be very interested if you can veto the above story or not. My husband has had a beautiful Familie Stam book with his Familie tree. I on the other hand came to a grinding halt in Bloem. On that note i will stop this triad of mine. Thank you for reading it. Stay safe and enjoy your weekend. Margaret van der Spuy