Vrede

The name Vrede means Peace in English.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Vrede lies about 40Km east off the N3 route between Villiers and Warden, about 200Km from Johannesburg and about 80Km west of Volksrust on the N11.

The sandstone Dutch Reformed Church was build on the planes of the Notre Dame Chatreaux in France, but on a smaller scale.

There is a Garden of Remembrance with 2 monuments in honour of British Soldiers who fell during the Anglo Boer War. There is also a Burghers Monument for the Boers who died.

Tafelkop (1806m) is just south of Cornelia. Tafelkop has had mystical significance for the Basotho people. Many graves in the are face the mountain.

Vrede dam - Emanzini

Angling, water-skiing, boating, floodlit water skiing.

Things to do

4x4 routes, hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, horseriding, hunting, mountain biking, trout-fishing, caving, abseiling, rock climbing, equestrian adventure camps or riding classes.

Golf: 9-hole course, tennis club, bowls.

Events

Annual Rooivleisfees (Red Meat Festival).

The Vrede Creative Retreat teaches literary skills.

History

Vrede was established in 1863. The founders could not agree on a name, and settle the matter amicably, the name Vrede, meaning Peace, was chosen.

Some battles were fought in the are during the Anglo-Boer War. Lankverwaght / Kalkkrans. At the Battle of Tafelkop of 11 October 1900, the Boers were surprised by the British, and surrendered after just about 5 minutes of fire from the British. Christiaan Beyers was one of the Boers then captured. Many of the Boers were sent to the island St Helena as prisoners of war.

The Boers were betrayed by a black man Stuurman, and the Boerss regarded the event as murder. The area is also known as Moordpoortjie.

Economy

The economy is mainly agricultural.

Cattle - beef, dairy products. Sheep: wool, mutton. Maize, wheat, poultry.

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