Vryheid

Vryheid

Dutch Reformed Church on church square.
Vryheid
Vryheid
Vryheid

 Vryheid shown within KwaZulu-Natal

Coordinates: 27°46′01″S 30°48′00″E / 27.76694°S 30.80000°E / -27.76694; 30.80000Coordinates: 27°46′01″S 30°48′00″E / 27.76694°S 30.80000°E / -27.76694; 30.80000
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Zululand
Municipality Abaqulusi
Established 1884[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 48.71 km2 (18.81 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 47,365
 • Density 970/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 84.5%
 • Coloured 1.7%
 • Indian/Asian 1.3%
 • White 12.1%
 • Other 0.3%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Zulu 79.8%
 • Afrikaans 10.2%
 • English 6.2%
 • Other 3.7%
Postal code (street) 3100
PO box 3100
Area code 034

Vryheid is a coal mining and cattle ranching town in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Vryheid is Afrikaans for "freedom".

History

After Boer farmers, who lived in the Vryheid area, had helped King Dinuzulu defeat his rival chief Zibhebhu for succession of the Zulu throne, land that they occupied was given to them by session from the Zulu king along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the Boers formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its capital and its sovereignty was recognized by Germany and Portugal. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic, but at the end of the Second Boer War the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into the Natal colony by the British. Vryheid is located along the Transnet Coaline.

Education

In 2007 Inkamana High School and Vryheid Comprehensive Secondary School were amongst several schools recognised as "historic schools". Funding of six million rand a year was earmarked for these two and Adams College, Ohlange High School and Inanda Seminary to make them academies focussing on Maths, Science and Technology.[3]

Other schools are Hoërskool Vryheid, which uses both Afrikaans and English as the medium of instruction and Hoërskool Pionier which uses Afrikaans as medium of instruction.

Sport

Kilian Academy, a martial arts academy instructing in the arts of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Kickboxing, is situated in Vryheid.

Vryheid Wrestling Academy, is one of the top wrestling clubs in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Hanami Gi-Challenge

The Hanami Gi-Challenge (commonly known as The Challenge) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournament in Africa. The Hanami Gi-Challenges are hosted annually by the Hanami Martial Arts, with the first Challenge hosted in 2014 at the Indoor Speedball Club Vryheid in South Africa. In 2015, it will be held once again in Vryheid, South Africa.

Religion

The Inkamana Abbey, a Roman Catholic Benedictine abbey is located in the town.

Heritage Sites

The Dutch Reform Church in Vryheid, better known as Die Moeder Gemeente (Afrikaans for the Mother Congregation), has been added to the list of 12 Gorgeous Churches and Cathedrals in Africa, by AFK Insider.[4]

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Vryheid". Census 2011.
  3. ↑ Ngcobo, Gabisile (10 Oct 2012). "Plea to maintain 'historic' schools in SA". The Witness.
  4. ↑ "12 Gorgeous Churches And Cathedrals In Africa". AFK Insider. December 5, 2014. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  5. ↑ "Guinness World Record". 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2015-05-06.

Media related to Vryheid at Wikimedia Commons

View of Church Street in Vryheid's Commercial District.
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