Middelburg lies equidistant from Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Richmond, Hofmeyr, Colesberg, Steynsburg and Hanover – all approximately 96 km away. Located on the banks of the Klein Brak River, the site for developing the town was carefully chosen, as it’s development was important for providing in the secular and spiritual life of the pioneer farming community which was, till then, very far from anywhere. As far back as 1786 the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet was proclaimed. On the 6^th of February 1837 the Cape Government proclaimed the district of Colesberg with the field cornets of Middelveld, Winterveld, Upper Sea Cow River, Lower Sea Cow River, Nieu-Hantam and Agter Suurberg. The distance between Graaff-Reinet and Colesberg is 130 miles (200 km). Therefore it was decided to establish a town in between. The Dutch Reformed Church of Colesberg gave permission for a new congregation to be seceded. Thus the Middelburg Dutch Reformed Church came into being on 19 May 1852, and according to the Government Gazette of 19 June 1852, the Seat of Magistracy was announced for Middelburg. Three farms, namely Kleinfontein, Grootfontein and Driefontein were considered for the town. A commission consisting of Willem Smit and Henning Coetzee bought the farm Driefontein from Jan Coetzee for 40 000 riksdallders (R6000). The farm was given the name Middelburg, due to it’s central location. The first erven were sold on 12 and 13 August 1852.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Aberdeen 160 km, Addo (via Cradock) 320 km, Addo (via Graaff Reinet) 363 km, Aliwal North 241 km, Beaufort West 315 km, Bloemfontein 320 km, Burgersdorp 183 km, Cape Town 794 km, Colesberg 93 km, Cradock 98 km, De Aar 162 km, Durban (via Free State) 1061 km, Durban (via Transkei) 846 km, East London 390 km, Gariep Dam 130 km, George 454 km, Graaff Reinet 105 km, Grahamstown 293 km, Hanover 93 km, Johannesburg 718 km, Kimberley 467 km, King William’s Town 331 km, Knysna 463 km, Kroonstad 531 km, Molteno 155 km, Mossel Bay 508 km, Nieu-Bethesda 83 km, Noupoort 40 km, Oudtshoorn 391 km, Port Alfred 351 km, Port Elizabeth 360 km, Pretoria 776 km, Queenstown 237 km, Richmond (tarred road) 154 km, Richmond (gravel road) 108 km, Saldanha 860 km, Somerset East 224 km, Steynsburg 93 km, Tarkastad 196 km, Umtata 520 km, Upington 590 km, Venterstad 157 km, Willowmore 284 km

Altitude: 1280 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 250 mm per annum, during December – April

Average Temperatures

Summer Day 32°c, Night 5°c; Winter Day 16°c, Night 3°c

Banks

Absa (ATM), FNB (ATM), Standard (ATM)

Dams

Grassridge Dam 45 km from Middelburg

Mountains

Compassberg, Lootsberg, Rhenosterberg

Rivers

Fish, Klein Brak

HISTORICAL VIEW

Burger Monument

This graceful obelisk was erected in 1929 to honour the memory of 19 Burghers who fell during the Anglo Boer War

Chair Monument

This monument at Ouberg marks the spot where two commandants, Lotter and Wolfaardt, were executed in 1901 during the Anglo Boer War

Gereformeerde Kerk

Ds Dirk Postma founded this congregation at Grootfontein in 1860. In 1979 it was declared a national monument. The inscription reads:’Hierdie kerkgebou wat in 1862 voltooi is na die stigting van die plaaslike gemeente deur DS Dirk Postma op 1 December 1860 is die oudste bestaande Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid Africa’.

Graveyard of Farm Driefontein

Follow the road past the caravan park along Minnaar Avenue to the first graveyard behing Ouberg where the first inhabitants of Driefontein, on which Middelburg was founded, are interred.

Haystead & Ford Building

In Market Street, this building dates back to the early years of the 20^th century. This is one of the few remaining buildings of the old Middelburg and was declared a national monument

Karel Theron Primary School

The school, erected in 1908, once was the biggest school in the Cape Province. It was named after Kalie Theron, for 35 years the principal, who saw this school grow from a two teacher primary school to a high school. The elegant façade in Victoria Street lures many an enthusiastic photographer. Declared a national monument in 1992

Market Square

It all started here in 1852. Encircled by Murray, Market, Van Reenen and Loop Streets, here on the Outspan, originated the Dutch Reformed Church, Gereformeerde Kerk, the Methodist Church and the Town Hall. Today, part of the square is known as the ‘Mayor’s Garden’.

Middelburg Museum

At the corner of Bennie and Van der Walt Streets. The building was previously known as the ‘Poor School’. This school was opened in 1898 for children of the poor. The main building was erected in 1906 and today it houses the Middelburg Museum where, amongst other exhibits, a fine collection of rifles can be seen.

Old Waterpump

Queen Victoria made this gift to the town in 1887 when she celebrated her Golden Jubilee. Victoria and Jubilee Streets receiving their names at the time. The water pump stands in the Mayor’s Garden.

PW Vorster Museum (Grootfontein)

The museum complex at the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute consists of the original farmhouse erected by Nicolaas van der Walt in 1827, to which was added an implement shed in 1976. The museum was officially opened in 1975 and named after a former secretary of agriculture, Dr Pieter W Vorster. At present the buildings house items of cultural, historical, military and agricultural interest. Nicolaas van der Walt and his family lived in the house until 1842. An interesting exhibit is the original Special Permit sanctioning the shooting of Petrus Wolfaardt. He was executed on the 15^th of October 1901. Handicrafts of the interned Boer Prisoners of War at Bermuda and Ceylon can be seen as part of the exhibits, as well as photographs showing Boer Prisoners of War at Steynsburg. The British era from 1901 to 1910 is strikingly exhibited with various articles dating to this period. An attractive desk, used by British officers during the Anglo Boer War, is still in a beautiful condition. A visit by the Prince of Wales in 1927, was a highlight in the history of the town. A vase, which was used to decorate the royal hotel room, is on show. The implement shed houses various interesting objects used previously on many farms, for instance a waterwheel, a bucket pump, a rainmaking machine, a back-wagon, as well as a fully equipped smithy with a bellows still in working condition.

Schoonbeesklip

An inscription on this rock was left by one of the first European inhabitants of the area. It reads: ’Anno 1780 ik ben die plaas heft aangecleyght A.G.S.B. uyt Denemark sprenghane als sant’. Andries Godlieb Schoonbee fled from Denmark after the supposed death of his brother whom he threw from the window of their double storey house after a fight.

Steam Roller

The steam roller on Market Square next to the town hall was bought in 1938 to build new streets and to prepare a few others for tarring. A skilled operator will still be able to operate this roller as it is in perfect condition

Wall of Remembrance

This graceful wall honors the memory of all who fell during the Anglo Boer War, the two World Wars and the Bush War in Namibia.

GROOTFONTEIN

After the Anglo Boer War the farm Grootfontein in the Middelburg district was bought by the British War Office in order to establish a peace keeping force in the area. This was the beginning of the military era of Grootfontein that lasted from 1903 till 1910. During this period most of the soldiers lived in tents until prefabricated houses were erected. These houses were made of wood and corrugated iron. Some of these houses are still in use. Between 6000 and 10 000 troops from the Third Manchester Regiment were stationed at Grootfontein. Some of them were married, so about 3000 women and children also lived at Grootfontein. The infrastructure was well developed and included schools, a church, hospital and housing for the troops and their families. The troops brought 2000 horses with them. The Third Manchester Regiment was supplemented by Cape colonists. It was economically more viable to supplement from Regiment with colonists than to bring troops from England. The first military cemetery was located to the east of Droë River and was closed down in October 1905 due to the spreading of contagious diseases. The other military cemetery was established to the east of Oorlogspoort, about 5 km (8 miles) from the military camp. From 1908 the troops were disbanded. In July 1910 the Union of South Africa took control of the farm after which the Grootfontein School of Agriculture was established in 1911. The first principal was RW Thornton. His first task was to renovate the brick houses. The existing wood and corrugated iron buildings were used as stables, shearing shed, dairy building and offices. Genl Louis Botha, the Prime Minister, visited Grootfontein in 1912. The venue for the school was decided upon and building started in 1913. Andries van der Merwe was appointed as farm manager by Botha.

Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute

On the outskirts of the town, has an excellent history of the period 1903 – 1910, after the Anglo Boer War. Apart from history, you can join a guided tour (by prior arrangement) on the Agricultural activities.

NATURE

Compassberg

2502 m, the highest peak in South Africa apart from the Drakensberg peaks.

‘Koffiebus & Teebus’

(mountains)

Next to each other, they look like the lids of a coffee pot and tea pot

Lootsberg

Popular scenic mountains between Middelburg and Graaff Reinet

Mountain Zebra National Park

Rhenosterberg

Looks like the face of a rhino from the side

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Middelburg Karoo Show & Festival – April

Mountain Bike Marathon – April

Aurora Mohair Weavers

Guided tours to see the weaving of mohair blankets, sales at the factory

Broadlast Shoes

Guided tours by prior arrangement to see the manufacture of leather shoes, sales at the factory

GDE Leather

Specialises in saddle repairs, craft shop with leather products, guided tours by prior arrangement.

Nieu-Bethesda

Visit the world famous Owl House in this quaint valley village.

Sneeuberg Crafts

Guided tours to see the manufacture of Dreamaway wool duvets, pillows and sleeping bags. Sales at factory

Sneeuberg Mineral Water & Accelerade

See the bottling of mineral water and energy drinks. Guided tours. No sales at factory

Spiders & Scorpions of SA

Display with live specimens, craft shop with homemade articles.

ACTIVITIES

4x4 Route

Bird Watching

Game Viewing

Hiking

Two to three day trail. Group maximum 12 people. Experience the beauty of the Karoo and San rock art, two or three day trail, groups up to 12 people.

Wayfillan Adventure Holiday

Horse Riding school, adventure activities – camping, hiking, mountain biking and river tubing.

Horse Riding

Hunting

Mountain Biking / Cycling

River Tubing

Accommodation in and around Middelburg