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Battlefields Route Logo The Boer War Centenary Battlefields Route Logo
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A programme of regular visits throughout the region will be available from October 1999 to May 2002. These will take a number of forms including self drive, bus tours and steam train trips. This is the official programme although many other functions and events are being planned. Contact the Organizers for last minute changes.


Saturday 16th October 1999

A symbolic welcome of the British forces at the Durban dockside. Opening of military exhibition in Durban. Military Ball in the evening. Relay marathon between Volksrust and Dundee via Newcastle to commemorate the withdrawal of mineworkers from the Reef by Mr. JS Marwick between the 6th and 15th October 1899. This marathon will also commemorate the outbreak of the war.

Sunday 17th October 1999

Exhibition and demonstration of militaria in Durban. Commemorative prayer service.

Monday 18th and
Tuesday 19th October 1999

Seaman's breakfast near docks. Military demonstration and parade. Full programme of exciting visits in the Durban/Pinetown area.

Saturday 23rd October 1999

Official start of commemorative events in Dundee. Full day's events include unveiling of Stretcher Bearer Memorial, re-enactment of the Battle of Talana and wreath laying. Evening function in Ladysmith.

Sunday 24th October 1999

Commemorative prayer service in Ladysmith. The reconciliation theme of the entire national commemoration will be the theme for this church service. A programme of historical visits for the rest of the day includes a steam train to Elandslaagte battlefield where demonstrations by the artillery and cavalry will take place.

Saturday 14th November 1999

A series of vists to places of historical interest in the Estcourt/Mooi River theatre of the war.

Sunday 15th November 1999

Steam train ride from Estcourt to Frere. Wreath laying at the scene of the capture of Winston Churchill by members of the Churchill family. MOTH parade to be organized by members of the Winston Churchill Shellhole, Westville. Other participants to include descendants of Piet Joubert, General Louis Botha and Commandant Landman. Involvement of military units and navy in the programme.

Saturday 11th December 1999

Tour of Colenso Battlefield with emphasis on the role of the artillery. Wreath laying at Clouston.

Sunday 12th December 1999

Wreath laying at Chievely Military Cemetery. Descendants of persons buried here as well as the Red will be invited to participate.

Saturday 21st January 2000

Tours to various battlefields in the Nthabamnyama theatre. Reliving of the British ascent of Spioenkop.

Sunday 22nd January 2000

A progranmme of visits to battlefields in the Vaalkrans vicinity and a commemoration of this battle.

Saturday 25th and
Sunday 26th February 2000

A commemoration of the Battle of Tugela Heights and the relief of Ladysmith. Tours to the sites will involve the descendants of the men who fought on opposing sides. An evening function on the Saturday is planned in Ladysmith.

Saturday 30th and
Sunday 31st May 2000

Commemorative tours to illustrate the battles in "The Struggle for the Biggarsberg". These will include the battle of Helpmekaar and the relief of Dundee.

Saturday 16th December 2000

On this national day of reconciliation you are invited to participate in a programme, held in Utrecht, commemorating the foreigners from all over the world who were in some way invloved in this war.

Sunday 1st September 2001

A commemorative function in Pinetown concerning the concentration camps at Merebank, Jacobs and Pinetown.

Saturday 22nd and
Sunday 23rd September 2001

Tours to Itala and Fort Prospect - two battles in which Louis Botha's second invasion of Natal was repulsed.

Saturday 4th and
Sunday 5th May 2002

Commemoration of the Battle of Holkrans. Abaqulusi and Boer descendants will be invited to attend. The programme will include tours to local battlefields and historical sites with a service of reconciliation on 5th May 2002 in Vryheid.

Friday 31st May 2002

A function in Pinetown commemorating the close of the concentration camps and the return of prisoners of war.


A Suggested 15 Day Tour of Battlefields,
KZN Game Reserves and the Drakensberg

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Day 1

Arrive Durban International Airport ex London. Afternoon: focus on the Battle of Port Natal (1842). First of the wars between the British and the Boers. Overnight in colonial house.

Day 2

Travel to Zululand. Visit the Ultimatum Tree, Fort Pearson, Hill of Execution and murder of Piet Retief (1838). Overnight in country guest house in Babanango.

Day 3

Umfolozi game Reserve for game and bird viewing. Overnight in Matubatuba.

Day 4

Umfolozi Game Reserve. Afternoon in Ulundi. Overnight in country guest house.

Day 5

Morning, battlefield of Isandlwana, where on 22nd January 1879 the British Army suffered one of its worse defeats. Afternoon the glorious defence of Rorke's Drift. Overnight in country lodge near Rorke's Drift.

Day 6

Option of returning to Isandlwana, Mangeni Falls or Fugitives' Drift or remaining for game drive and picnic at the Buffalo River. Overnight in country lodge.

Day 7

Scene of the killing of the Prince Imperial of France (1879). Distant viewing of Hlobane and Devils Pass. An hour slide show and talk. Overnight in Vryheid.

Day 8

Battlefields of Kambula (1879) and Blood River (1838). Overnight in Dundee.

Day 9

Battle of Talana, Talana Museum, Battle of Elandslaagte and the scene of the armoured train ambush and the capture of Winston Churchill. Overnight in country lodge.

Day 10

Visit the last surviving blockhouse in KwaZulu-Natal and the battle sites of Colenso and Spioenkop. Overnight in country lodge.

Day 11

Focus on Ladysmith. The famous siege museum, All Saint's Church, the battle of Caesar's Camp and Wagon Hill. View the route of the final relief. Overnight in country lodge.

Days 12 and 13

Two days of leisure in the magnificent Drakensberg mountains known to the Zulus as the Barrier of Spears. Overnight in Drakensberg Mountain Hotel.

Day 14

Fort Durnford and its museum. Howick Falls and local craft centres. Overnight at game lodge near Pietermaritzburg.

Day 15

Early morning game drive, visit Pietermaritzburg. Travel to Durban for departure.



The Freedom Festival:
Ladysmith 1999-2000

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The Siege Festival
23rd October 1999 - 2nd November 1999


 

Commemorative concert by the Drakensberg Boy' s Choir. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the SA Navy Band and possibly a performance by an international choir

 

Unveiling of Freedom Monument at foothills of Umbulwane Mountain at Steadville. incorporating a Commemorative Church Service

 

Youth Field Gun Run Competition

 

Military Tattoo

 

Bestowing the F- Freedom of the Town upon the SA Navy

 

Ringing of Bells: 100 Tolls at noon

 

Switching on of Military search lights on siege perimeter

 

Wreath laying ceremony at the Lt Egerton Gun Shield

 

Last Train 0ut

 

Daily tours

 

Interviews with historical figures

 

Exhibitions

 

Specialist talks

 

Various other fringe events

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The Centenary Festival
30th December 1999 - 9th January 2000


 

New Years Eve Church Service

 

Smokers Concert

 

Lighting of torch

 

Hot Air Balloons

 

Evening Float Procession through streets of Ladysmith

 

Fireworks display at midnight

 

Ringing of the Bells 100 tolls at midnight

 

New Years Day's Picnic

 

Re-enactment of Battle at Platrand/Wagon Hill

 

Commemoration at the Burgher Memorial: Wreath Laying Ceremony

 

Fringe Events

The Relief Festival
27th February 2000 - 4th March 2000


 

Ringing of the bells at noon

 

Celebratory Dinner party

 

Ladysmith Cemetery Programme: Wreath Laying

 

Ringing of the Bells

 

Grand Equestrian Weekend

 

Drama: Play by Peter Schaefer: Equus

 

Fringe events

Ladysmith's 150th
Anniversary Celebrations
1st June 2000 - 30th June 2000


 

Ladysmith Games

 

Evening float procession

 

Anniversary Ball

 

Anniversary Open Air Concert

 

Fringe Events


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