Vryheid

Vryheid
Dutch Reformed Church on church plain.
Vryheid  Vryheid shown within KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates:
Country	South Africa
Province	KwaZulu-Natal
District	Zululand
Municipality	Abaqulusi
Established	1884
Area
• Total	48.71 km2 (18.81 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	47,365
• Density	970/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	84.5%
• Coloured	1.7%
• Indian/Asian	1.3%
• White	12.1%
• Other	0.3%
First languages (2011)
• 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" or "liberty".

History

After Boer farmers, who lived in the Vryheid area, had helped Dinuzulu defeat his rival Usibepu 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 it's 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.

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.

Notable residents

• Louis Botha (27 September 1862 – 27 August 1919), Boer War general and first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa representing the district of Vryheid whilst in parliament.
• Colleen De Reuck (born 13 April 1964), South African long-distance runner was born in Vryheid.
• Cindy Elizabeth Eksteen (born 21 November 1977), South Africa cricketer was born in Vryheid.
• Christian du Plessis (2 July 1944), famous opera singer was born in Vryheid.
• Joe Pietersen (born 18 May 1984), South African rugby player was born in Vryheid.
• Albert William Lee, Anglican Bishop of Zululand lived in Vryheid from 1928-1935.
• Mouritz Botha (born 29 January 1982), South African rugby player was born in Vryheid.
• Thomas (Franz Xavier) Spreiter (1865 – 1944), a German missionary lived in Vryheid.
• Bob Holness (1928 – 2012), British radio and television presenter was born in Vryheid.
• Thys Lourens (born 1943), South African rugby player was born in Vryheid.
• Keegan Longueira (born 1991), South African cyclist and current holder of the Guinness World Record fastest man ever to cross the continent on Bicycle from Cairo to Cape Town.

References

Media related to at Wikimedia Commons

View of Church Street in Vryheid's Commercial District.