Greytown.co.za

Below are links to "classical" tourist attractions like monuments, museums, birth-places, memorials and the like. Please verify the information before you plan a visit because details may have changed or whatever it is you want to see or visit may no longer be available. (We sometimes leave details of old establishments as a reminder of "the old days"). All underlined blue text will take you to more information if you click on it.

Information Centre General Louis Botha's birth Museum Lake Merthley The Kop Sarie Marais' Grave Aya Jana's Grave Lilani Spa Shu Shu Hot Springs

Bambatha's Rock Bambatha Memorial Greytown Town Hall Methodist Church Dutch Reformed Church The Mosque Shri Vishnu Mandir Temple St James Anglican Church Leuchar's Memorial Hall

St Theodore's Catholic Church Umvoti Mounted Rifles Hall The Masonic Hall The Stables Forts Mini Farm Vintage Tractors

	MUSEUM (We are working on a dedicated page for the Museum) The Museum is situated in Scott Street between Durban and Voortrekker Streets in a building erected by Dr Birtwell in 1879 and sold to the Colonial Government as "The Residency" or "Drostdy" for the local magistrate. It remained as such until 1971 when the then Magistrate found it unacceptable and persuaded the authorities to build a new residence on adjoining land. The then Borough Council acquired the property and the Museum was officially opened on 17 August 1973 by the Administrator of Natal, Ben Havemann. It is now a National Monument and considered to be one of the better small museums in the country Open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00 and some Sundays The Museum has a large collection of memorabilia from the Umvoti Mounted Rifles involvement in the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906, the Zulu War, the First Anglo Boer War, the South African War and the two World Wars.  It houses a Victorian Children's Room, Hindu and Muslim Room, Zulu Culture Room and  a Blacksmith's forge in the Coach House with a good selection of farming equipment.  Outside exhibits include: steam engines, a hearse, a restored Cape Cart, and a Spider.  A prime exhibit is a 1750's cannon brought to Greytown in 1852, all the way from Port St. Johns, through countryside inhabited with wild animals, by an eighteen year old orphaned girl accompanied by ten shipwrecked Zulus .  A 115 year old fig tree (Ficus Natalensis) was planted by Annie Botha (sister of General Louis Botha), while married to Dr. Birtwell who built this house. Lake Merthley This lake nestles in picturesque wooded "Little Canada" surroundings and supplies the town with water. The lake is a popular, all water sports and fishing venue with several cottages, camping sites and ablution blocks. Booking Box 71,  Greytown, 3250  Tel: 033-4131115 Fax: 033-4171393. The Kop This hill 45 km from Greytown on the Stanger road,  overlooks the Tugela River, which meanders nearly 700m below.  An interesting tribal legend dating to the days of Shaka tells of the rock splitting to hide a Chief's son and his bride from cannibals.  Only they knew the secret song of Ntunjambili which would open giving them access to a hidden cave.  Click here to read the full story. A British officer, during the Zulu war, is believed to have been the first european to climb the Kop and as proof of his achievement, he left his shirt hanging on a tree and it remained there for many, many years.  From the eyrie of the Kop one can view black eagles, rock kestrels, white-necked ravens, lanner falcons, rock pigeons, red winged starlings, alpine and black swifts, lesser- and larger-striped swallows. Sarie Marais' Grave Off the D479 on the way to Stanger.  The song "Sarie Marais" is based on the American "My Darling Ellie Rhee" and gets its name from Sarie Mare (note spelling) who married at 17 and died two days after having given birth to her eleventh child at age 35 (that's going some!!) There is some debate about whether she is THE Sarie Mare but Greytown is claiming her amongst it's famous people! There is a geocache at the site. Click here to listen to the song  Click here to view the grave site. Click here to see Wikipedia info.   Aia Jana's Grave (Voortrekker Vow 1912 ) Aya Jana who as a small child was orphaned when the Voortrekkers and Matabeles under Mzilikazi did battle. She was taken in by the Voortrekkers and was with them when the Zulus attacked the Voortrekkers at Bloukrans near Weenen. While seriously wounded she escaped with her life by feigning death while being prodded with assegais.She was nursed back to health and adopted by the Mare family, an Aunt and Uncle of Sarie, raised as one of their children and went on to live to the ripe old age of 93. Honour was bestowed on her at the historic festival of the Voortrekker Vow in December of 1912, where she planted a tree to commemmorate the event and took her place on a bench with all the VIPs - which included among others, the then Governor of Natal C.J. Smythe, the wife of Andries Pretorius (she must have been ancient!), the Advocate E.G. Jansen who later became Governor General of the Union of South Africa. The location of the tree is unknown but it is thought to have long since died. Please note that it is not near Sarie Marais' grave and the tourist sign on the R74 is incorrect. The grave is off the Mispah Road between the R33 and the R74. We are taking the signage issue up with the authorities. The GPS co-ordinates are 29*6'34.29"S 30*42'36.70"E Lilani Spa 38 Km on the Stanger Road, popular until the 60s when it was favourably compared to the best in Europe.  We have heard of many good times had at Lilani. Please e-mail us any stories you may have to share with us. It has now been re-vamped. A visit to Lilani is a really refreshing experience and is a snip at the current price of R350.00 per couple per night.The fee for day visitors is R50.00 per person. Click here to visit their website   Shu Shu Hot Springs In the Tugela Valley below Kranskop.  Although there are no formal camping facilities, many families have made their annual treks and set up camp at their sites at Shu Shu during July for generations. The annual gathering now re-unites people from all over South Africa.    Bambatha's Rock n 1906 a poll tax instead of the usual hut tax was imposed on the local Zulus.  This coupled with numerous other issues resulted in the rebelling of several tribal chiefs including Bambatha. The inhabitants of Greytown went into laager in the Greytown Town Hall and a column of police were sent to collect two women and a child from the Marshall Hotel (Keates Drift road) and the Storekeeper's wife from Keates Drift.  On their return with shouts of "Usuthu!" they were ambushed at the rock 23 km on Keates Drift Road, 4 policemen were killed. This resulted in what is known as the "BAMBATHA REBELLION" the appalling loss of 70 rebels at Pukunyoni, over 600  at Isuzi and 575 at Mome Gorge.  More information on this enigmatic Bambatha can be found at the Greytown Museum.  In 1968 one Mishak Mthalane was at the offices of Attorneys Nel & Stevens and they needed to know his age. He didn't know how old he was so Interpreter Gilbert  Maphanga tried to find out what major events Mishak could remember and how tall he was at the time hoping to set a guideline to estimate Mishak's age. Mishak said that he taken part in the Bambatha Rebellion. When Tiny Stevens heard this he asked Gilbert to take a statement from Mishak. Click here to read the statement of a soldier in Bambatha's Impi. We have received a letter from the grand-daughter of the doctor who had to cut off Bambatha's head. Click here to read the letter. Bambatha Memorial (to the Policeman) 13 km out on Keate's Drift/Dundee road is a Memorial erected in memory of the four policemen including Trooper Aston and his dog, killed at Ambush Rock.  It is alleged that Sgt Brown's body was only found the next day badly mutilated - his moustache was carried around to encourage Zulu men to join up with the rebels, while parts of his body were made into medicine to make warriors immune to bullets. Greytown Town Hall The foundation stone was laid in 1897 but the building was only opened in 1904 after redesigning by Street Wilson on original plans drawn up by Stott and Tomlinson. The Towns'  resources had been drained by the Anglo Boer war, so the building was only partially completed in 1898.  Methodist Church Built in 1877 - this is the oldest church in Greytown - Gothic style. Dutch Reformed Church and Bell The bell bought in 1861 was used to summon the Dutch and English community to church.  A combination of events, including an altercation by the Bishop Macrorie and Bishop Colenso, Rev Taylor and Rev Turnbull of the English and Dutch reformed churches respectively, arguing that their services were being interrupted, led to three young bucks in town stealing the bell and burying it. The bell was found in 1935 seventy four years later when the foundations were dug for the Concordia cottages. It was hung in an arch at the Dutch Reformed Church and lo and behold stolen again a few years ago and the returned when a scrapdealer in Pietermaritzburg phoned to say he had it. It now hangs in the Church! The full story of the bell was being researched by Tiny Christie before her sudden death. Please send us any information you might have that might assist. A stone and two yellowwood trees commemorate the visit of the Ossewa Trek in 1938 on the centenary of the Great Trek. The first church built in 1856 was destroyed by a cyclone.  Sir Henry Bulwer, Lieutenant Governor with a naval Hussars guard of honour, opened the new church on 07/04/1883  The Mosque Initially constructed of wood and iron was built in 1898.  The present one was built in 1946 and can accommodate two hundred worshippers.  It is situated in Bell Street.  There is also the Madressa Hidayatul Islam School.  On the walls of the Mosque are quranic verses.  In this respect Prof. Lakhi and his Kufi writings will be remembered.  Five times a day the Moazzin calls people to prayer on Friday afternoon being most important.
	Shri Vishnu Mandir Temple (Cathcart Street) In 1910 the late Baboo Dakka Singh donated two roods of land and the first religious centre started in a wood and iron building. In 1926 a vernacular school was established and  a temple was opened in 1933, in 1973 the old temple was demolished to make way for the present one. The Lotus flower on the dome symbolises the aim of the Temple, which is to educate people about spiritual life.  As the lotus flower floats on the surface of water, so too should one live on the material plain, but never be drowned by it, while the spiritual dimension of one's existence should always remain above one's material existence. St James Anglican Church  1911 This is the second church to be built on this plot, the original site now being a garden of remembrance.  The original archway and stained glass windows brought from England in 1874 from the first church 1867 have been incorporated into the front porch.  It is built of local stone, with the knave columns designed by Street Wilson, coming from Bath, England. The sculpture behind the altar was executed by the famous South African Sculptor Mary Stainbank.  The organ was donated by the Philanthropist Carnegie on condition a plaque was erected in his memory.  This has never been done.   Leuchar's Memorial Hall Constructed of stone from the original old Greytown Court House and was paid for by Sir George Leuchars, Minister of Agriculture under the Prime Minister Louis Botha during the first Union of South Africa parliament in 1910.  He was also O.C. of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles 1898 - 1908 St Theodore's Roman Catholic Church The land was donated by Major Theodore Menne and the Church was built about 1915.  A convent of St Dominics was once attached to it which was closed in 1967. Umvoti Mounted Rifles Hall Next to the Theodore Menne Library, this the oldest hall in Greytown, was built as a Masonic Hall in 1880 and then became the headquarters of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles.  It is now used by the PWD.   The Masonic Hall This magnificent building was built in 1905 and was a stand-out feature of driving down Durban Street. Sadly it was sold when a new Masonic lodge was built at the bottom of Scott Street. It was destroyed by fire soon thereafter. The Stables The house was built in the late 1870's by Ignatius Marthinus van Rooyen, who in 1897 was a member of the first Town Board. It was converted into a restaurant, then a shop, then as a result of a fire, the authorities insisted it be pulled down.  The house and one wall of the stables still remains on Shepstone Street. Forts Fort Dartnell near the saleyards was demolished by the authorities.  Fort Mispah, erected by Mr Menne in 1897, overlooks the Umvoti Vlei.  Only the foundations remain.  Fort Ahrens (off   D110 on Kranskop Road) Fort Liddle, Fort Montgomery, Fort Cherry, Fort Buckingham and Fort Cross. Mini Farm (Check before visiting) Home to "Chummy" a Border Collie TV star and subject of many books by local Brenda Munitich - he paw marks his books.  Also pony rides, working dogs and caterers for birthday parties.  Tel.  033-4133341. General Louis Botha's birthplace A cairn on the farm Honeyfontein situated on the Pietermaritzburg road marks the spot where in 1862 Louis Botha was born, the 8th of 13 children.  The Heine Spruit was in flood and his mother couldn't make it back to Greytown to the family farm Onrust!  He attended the Hermannsburg Mission School and left the district at the age of about 12. Louis was to become Commandant-General of Transvaal forces after distinguishing himself at Ladysmith, Colenso and Spioenkop during the South Africa War. Later in 1910 he became the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa and in 1919 he attended the peace Conference in Versailles.  Vintage Tractors (Closed) Vintage and veteran farm tractors of English and American manufacture dating between 1920 and 1953.  3km from Greytown on the way to Mooirivier Contact Nick March 033-4171405.   INFORMATION CENTRE Housed at the Museum, the Information Centre carries information on the Battlefields Route, the surrounding district and Bed & Breakfast establishments.  Tel 033-4131171 ext 128. One can also purchase local crafts - spears, shields, beadwork, woodcarving and Zulu dolls, produced at Keate's Drift.