History

The Waterkloof valley forms part of the Molweni reserve and was the setting of the Eighth Frontier War fought from December 1850 to 1853 between the Xhosa warriors led by their chief Maqomo and the British soldiers led by Sir Harry Smith and Somerset. Known also as the War of the Prophet or War of Mlanjeni it was the scene of numerous battles and vicious retribution carried out by both sides. For those with an interest in things historical many of the original sites and sweeping battle settings can be visited - including places like Mundells Krantz, Fort Fordyce, 10th Pass, Kroomie Heights, Iron Mount, Mount Misery, Fullers Hoek and Harry’s Kloof. This will bring an understanding of the British soldiers comment that this area was “the only part of South Africa worth fighting for“.