Fouriesburg

Fouriesburg is named after Christoffel (Rooi Stoffel) Fourie on whose farm the town was laid out. The Sesotho name for the town is Mashaeng, which means place of big harvests.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Fouriesburg, with a population of about 30'000, is located in the Brandwater Basin, surrounded by the Maluti mountains (to the south), the Rooiberge and the Witteberge (to the west). The town is situated on the R27 between Bethlehem and Ficksburg, and the R711 to Clarens, and about 50Km from the Golden Gate National Park.

The Lesotho border post, Caledonspoort, is 10Km from town. On the Lesotho side the closest towns are Butha-Buthe and Joels Drift. There are historic footprints near Butha-Buthe.

Small places in the area are: Brandlaagte, Rosendal, Generaalsnek.

Photo: courtesy of Fouriesburg Tourism Bureau

Architecture

Several sandstone building of historical value can be viewed in the town.

Dutch Reformed Church
Photo: courtesy of Fouriesburg Tourism Bureau

Icon Milling building (in Reitz St) was built in 1908.

The Magistrate’s Court (in Reitz St) was built in 1931.

Destiny Castle (built in the 1960s by Oliver Hill) is on the road to Caledonspoort.

Pres Steyn House

The house in which Pres Marthinus Theunis Steyn (1857 – 1916) lived during the Anglo-Boer War can be seen.

Pres Marthinus Theunis Steyn (1857 – 1916)

Surrender Hill - Thabo Mofutsanyana

On this hills is a memorial to those killed during the Anglo-Boer War (for details, see below).

San rock paintings

San rock paintings can be seen in the area.

Queen Victoria rock formation

The Queen Victoria rock formation is one of the 20 highest loose-standing rock formations in the Free State. It is located on the farm Lesoba, which is about 3Km off the R711, about 10Km from town.

Salpeterkrans

Salpeterkrans is the largest rock overhang in the southern hemisphere. It is off the R711, about 20Km from Fouriesburg, and 13Km from Clarens. Getting to Salpeterkrans involves a 2Km hike. Salpeterkrans is used for fertility rites.

Visierskerf

Visierskerf (2477m), northeast of town, is one of the highest mountains in the Eastern Free State. It is on the farm Loskop. Visierskerf means Sight mark, and the peak was so named because it resembles a gun's sight.

Photo: courtesy of Fouriesburg Tourism Bureau

Ventersberg

Ventersberg (2269m) is home to the annual Ventersberg Challenge, which is a race between horses and 4x4 vehicles. This annual race takes place on the second Saturday of November.
Contact Fritz - 072-371-9732.

Photo: courtesy of Fouriesburg Tourism Bureau

Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell is about 10Km south of town on the R27. Towards the end of the Anglo-Boer War, the only town still in possession of the Boers was Fouriesburg. There are seven mountain passes leading to the town, and British forces guarded all of them. General Campbell's force was 16th Brigade, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (Prince of Wales' Own). They fought on the northern side of Fouriesburg, in the Bethlehem area. It is not clear why this fort is called Fort Campbell.

Thanks to Dirk Van Der Bank for information about Campbell.

Things to do

Hiking and Mountainbiking Trails

Camelroc Dermot - Yvette 058 223 0368
Lesoba Rule - JL 058 223 0444 / 072 660 0842
Meiringskloof - Jo 058 223 0067
Welgelegen - Andre / Anel 058 223 0495
Swampdog Mountainbike Club

Quad Biking Trails and Safaris

Carolina Guest Farm - Rose / John 058 223 0552
SA Sandstone - Ian 058 223 0421
Shumba Valley Guest Farm (Lesotho & local, up to 6 days) - Bob 058 223 0277 / 072 227 6752

Horse Riding, Events and Trails

Mont Plaisir - Rob 058 223 0505 / 073 150 0648
Shumba Valley Guest Farm - Di 058 223 0277 / 084 562 9818:
-- Le Trec /Show Jumping, Dressage and Steeplechasing (April, June & Oct)
-- 6 Day Tent Pegging Championship (July)
-- 120km ERASA Endurance Ride (15 Aug)

Ventersberg Stables / Stalle - Fritz 072 3719732:
-- Circular Routes (1 to 3 hours), including Sundowner and Moonlight rides
-- Day Ride (+- 5 hours), which takes you to the top of Ventersberg (2 269m above sea level), with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Malutis and other mountains
-- Overnight Trail, including refreshments, lunch, evening braai, brunch and tented accommodation.
-- 3-Day Circular Trail, including comfortable chalet accommodation, meals and refreshments (cash bar available on support vehicle).

Fishing

Emden Bass (approx 10kms from Fouriesburg, Stasie Rd) -- Duncan 082 334 4591
Eph Exley’s Dam (6kms from Fouriesburg, R26) -- Eph 083 462 7230
Welgelegen -- Andre / Anel 058 223 0495

Adventure

Destiny Explorations
Hilltop Farm Fouriesburg	Camping Adventure Rhino trails		Email More... Host: Linda Wilson

History

Fouriesburg was laid out in 1892 on the farm Groenfontein, owned by Christoffel (Rooi Stoffel) Fourie.

During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), it was declared the capital of the Orange Free State Republic.

Surrender Hill - Thabo Mofutsanyana

On 30 July 1900 a Boer force of about 5000 people (about 4000 Boer "soldier", and 1000 women and children) found themselves on this hill near Fouriesburg. General Marthinus Prinsloo was their commander. The British surrounded them and the Boers were forced to surrender. The majority was sent to India as prisoners of war.

Today a barren spot can still be seen where the Boer weapons were destroyed and burnt.

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