Ladysmith is a town in the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The town lies in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains on the banks of the Klip River and is an ideal stopping off point for anyone interested in the battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War.
The town of Ladysmith is situated 230 km north-west of Durban and 365 km South of Johannesburg. Apart from being the site of the famous siege that took place in 1899 and lasted for 118 days, it is also within easy reach of other famous Anglo-Boer War battlefields that took place in Dundee, Colenso, Elandslaagte and others.
Ladysmith was founded in 1847 by Boer Settlers who called the area “The Republic of Klip River”. In the same year it was annexed by the British and was renamed Windsor. In 1850 it was renamed Ladysmith after the wife of the Governor of the Cape Colony Sir Harry Smith, Lady Juana Maria de los Dolores Smith whom he had rescued in romantic circumstances at the storming of Badajos during the Peninsula war between France and the allied forces of England Portugal and Spain.
The Siege of Ladysmith began when on the 2nd November 1899 the Boers converged on the British Garrison in Ladysmith and cut the telegraph and rail lines to the town. It lasted 118 days and despite the fact that it was the shortest of the 3 major sieges of the Anglo Boer War, it was certainly the worst because of the terrible suffering from starvation and disease that resulted.
Both Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi played a part during the relief of the siege. Churchill at that time was a young war correspondent working for the London Morning Post. He had escaped earlier during the war after being taken prisoner by General Louis Botha, between Colenso and Ladysmith. Mahatma Gandhi had established a stretcher bearing corps and was involved in actions that took place in Ladysmith and surrounding areas during the relief. In 1993 the Hindu community of Ladysmith organized for a monument to be erected in the town in his honour.
There are many museums, memorials and monuments to the Anglo-Boer War in Ladysmith that are of interest and the Spioenkop Nature Reserve is 25 km outside the town.
Ladysmith has become a significant road and rail junction between Durban, Gauteng and the Free State. Horse Breeding and ranching is a major activity in the area as well as the farming of corn, soya beans and various fruit and vegetables.
Accommodation is available in lovely lodges and guest houses in Ladysmith and surrounding areas to suit all budgets and tastes.
