#SAHistory, Week 1: Retracing the steps of the Voortrekkers - Drakensberg

I recently discovered Retiefklip on a recent visit to Northern Drakensberg, I was driving up the Oliviershoek pass coming from Sterkfontein Dam and found a sign board for it, and wondered what it was all about. I paid no attention to the 4 x 4 only sign and figured my Toyota Yaris would handle it as it hadn’t done too bad before on rough terrain. People laugh at me all the time when I tell them what my car is capable of, and very seldom believe me.

As expected, my car effortlessly made it up the mountain pass after a 20-minute drive.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

A Moment in South African History

You all remember Piet Retief right?

For those that don’t, he played a huge role in South African history. He was a Voortrekker leader and a governor during the Great Trek. The Retief pass is where some of Retief’s party of Voortrekkers descended the Drakensberg in their quest for freedom and to find the land of their own.

This group of men consisted of 66 wagons and these were the first ever wheeled vehicles to enter Natal on the 14th of December 1837. The trail carved by these wagons is known as Retief’s Pass and was declared a national monument in February 1977.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

Retiefklip

I can’t believe I have never been to this historical area before. With not a soul in sight, I walked through a tunnel of rocks before accessing the monument. I was slightly distracted by these softly lit boulders glowing orange as the sun hit them. I was in awe of its beauty.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

The rock was a fascinating art piece that told a historical story. When the front trek arrived in the Free State, there was a dispute about the eventual destination of the Great Trek. Some wanted to go to Transvaal and others to Natal. Piet Retief chose Natal. Here at the foot of the Kerkenberg, he left his laager on 7 October 1837 with 14 men to reconnoiter Natal in advance. On 11 November Conrad and Piet Meyer returned with the good news that Natal could be occupied and settled in peace.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

Retief’s eldest daughter, Debora inscribed her father’s name with green paint on this very rock to commemorate his 57th birthday (12 November 1837) and his achievement. Today the rock is now known as Retiefklip.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

The Retief trek party stayed at Kerkenberg till 13 November 1837 from where they moved east to reach the edge of the Drakensberg. With the 1937 centenary celebration of this historic incident, Mrs. J.C. Preller, a granddaughter of Debora Retief, unveiled a commemorative plaque. In 1986 students of the Pretoria Technikon donated the English version of the Plaque.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

The other side of the rock opens up to a scenic surreal landscape filled with usually shaped boulders overlooking the Drakensberg mountains. It was so peaceful sitting there taking it all it. Looking at the threatening mountain passes and rocky cliff faces, I was surprised that the Voortrekkers made it through here with their wagons.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

Kaalvoet Vrou

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

A few kilometers away from Retiefklip I found another heritage site called the Kaalvoet Vrou. This site is dedicated to Susanna Smit, who in 1837 declared that she would rather trek barefoot back over the Drakensberg than live in Natal under British rule. I don’t think she ever made it though, as recorded she passed away in Natal. The full-sized metal statue of her was erected in her honor in 1977, and strategically positioned with her back towards Natal.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

At the top of the mountain, I found a small pyramid that marks the spot where the Voortrekker pass starts.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com

Kerkenberg

Erasmus Smit – the Voortrekker’s priest named this cluster of rocks Kerkenberg which he considered worthy of a church. The views from here are unforgettable. When you look eastward you will see Natal. To the north, you will see the Freestate, and to the east, you will see Malutis.

South Africa | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com