LEARNING FROM HISTORY IN CRADOCK René Laing ventures through the Karoo town of Cradock, which originated in 1813, and discovers some of the historic sites that made the town what it is today.
WHERE IN THE WORLD Cradock is in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town is 250km from Port Elizabeth.
Wildlife in the Mountain Zebra National Park
THE CRADOCK FOUR The story of four well-known anti- apartheid activists, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto, Fort Calata and Sicelo Mhlauli, is tragic. On their return from a meeting in Port Elizabeth in 1985, secret police stopped them at a roadblock, and nobody ever saw them again. Their bodies were later found severely burnt. Their deaths caused a national outcry, and the day of their funeral was seen as the first stage of failure of apartheid. The Fish River Museum and a special memorial at the Lingelihle Township celebrate their lives today.
THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN FARM The Olive Schreiner House Museum has an exhibition on the life and work of Schreiner and her siblings and a small book collection from Olive Schreiner’s and her husband’s libraries. She authored The Story of an African Farm while working on a farm in the area.
T o the ordinary visitor passing through Cradock, it is a surprisingly bustling Karoo town. However, there is so much more to this spot on the banks of the Great Fish River. It is not only the birthplace of famous stories but also a place of war heroes, anti-apartheid activists and migratory farmers. You can experience much of this history, and more, by travelling back in time to one of many historical spots. EARLY PIONEER HISTORY The Fish River Museum depicts the early history of the pioneers dating from 1840 to 1900. The main building houses the history of Cradock, the 1820 Settlers and the Voortrekkers, while historic items such as an ox wagon, a hearse and a horse cart from the period are on display outside. Another section of the museum covers the Cradock Four.
Die Tuishuise
VICTORIA MANOR AND DIE TUISHUISE Victoria Manor is one of the oldest hotels in South Africa, constructed in 1848. Many famous people visited the hotel, including Cecil John Rhodes. The cellar was used as a prison cell during the war and serves as a cosy pub today. Die Tuishuise flaunts the style of the mid-19th century. Craftsmen and artisans of the era stayed there. THE PLACE OF THE CAPE MOUNTAIN ZEBRA A 16km drive from town takes you to the Mountain Zebra National Park. The park was proclaimed in 1937 to save the Cape mountain zebra from extinction. At the time, the founder herd consisted of six animals, but today, you can spot these animals across much of the park. Mountain zebra are smaller than plains zebra, with shorter, stockier legs and more solid stripes. Other wildlife in the park are lion, buffalo, and various antelope species. It is the only South African National Park offering cheetah tracking on foot.
Olive Schreiner House Museum
SPEND A NIGHT College Road Guest House offers various affordable accommodation options, including options for self- catering guests and larger families. Facilities on the property include a swimming pool and a braai area. Visit the tourism office for a list of spots to see. Other historic sites include the Jurie Lombard Watermill and the municipal office building built in the mid- 1960s. Durban Street sports an ancient drinking trough where horses drank from during the 1800s. Spend some time exploring Cradock – the new and the old.
The Dutch Reformed Mother Church
HISTORICAL CHURCHES
Built in 1868, the Dutch Reformed Mother Church makes an architectural statement in the centre of town and is the most prominent in Cradock. The design is based on St Martin’s in the Field Church in Trafalgar Square in London. They believe the roof was a lookout point for British soldiers during the Anglo- Boer War. The tourism office in town can provide information on other historical churches in Cradock.
An ox wagon in the Fish River Museum
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