Brief history of the Makhado (Louis Trichardt) region

Recently renamed Makhado after the VhaVenda leader who ruled the area for many years, the town developed from the Voortrekker settlement in the area and was previously named after the leader Louis Trichardt who moved away from British rule in the Cape and arrived here in 1836. After his death en route to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), other Voortrekker groups settled in the area but left after Makhado defeated the unruly group of ivory hunters and adventurers of Schoemansdal in 1867.

Only in 1898 did the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek regain control of the area and established the town of Louis Trichardt the following year. There are several historic buildings in and around Makhado which bear testimony to the years of strife that existed in the area during the early years of the settlement. Makhado lies at the foot of the densely forested Zoutpansberg Range, conveniently close to the Zimbabwean border and the Kruger National Park. Situated in a highly fertile, rapidly growing agricultural area, the town has become one of Limpopo's premier business and tourist destinations. Various routes around the town highlight interesting aspects of the area, such as the fruit route to farms where a variety of fruit and nuts are produced. The arts and craft route in the Elim area where sisal mats, candles, silk-screen prints, batik articles, traditional Venda pots and wood carvings are made also provides insight into the life of the Shangaan people. The scenic beauty of the Zoutpansberg provides wonderful opportunities for hiking trails and mountain climbing. Hunting, photographic safaris and 4x4 trails are also favourite pastimes in the area. The Medike rock art site in the area comprises fascinating murals and etchings and is one of the most popular sites open to the public in South Africa. Lajuma is another important San rock art site.

The Ben Lavin Nature Reserve offers fascinating archaeological sites dating to 1250 AD, over 160 tree, 250 bird and 50 mammal species, also opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, birding and game drives. The Church of the Covenant was built to honour a vow made after the defeat of the VhaVenda leader Makhado in 1898. Designed by Gerhard Moerdijk, it was built in 1926. Fort Hendrina next to the municipal library was a mobile fort used during the Anglo-Boer War from where many of the atrocities by the infamous Breaker Morant were perpetrated. Schoemansdal Open-air Museum portrays the way of life of those early pioneers. Hanglip Forest picnic-site is a superb bird watching site and one of the few in the country where the Narina Trogon, Purple-crested Loerie and Knysna Loerie have all been spotted. All trees in the forest are marked. Access is along Forestry Road north of the town. Two short hiking trails and a two-day trail can be enjoyed in the area. Drive up the mountain, park at the boom and walk 150 m to the site. The Indigenous Tree Sanctuary at the intersection of the N1 and Trichardt Street features 145 indigenous trees of the region and several Voortrekker graves.

The Blouberg Mountain and Nature Reserve is picturesque with good bird watching, while the Langjan Nature Reserve on the R521, 22 km from Vivo, conserves the last remaining naturally occurring herd of gemsbok in Limpopo. Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre introduces visitors to the extensive animal and bird life of the Happy Rest Nature Reserve. The reserve is situated 20 km out of town on the R522 to Vivo. Buysdorp on the same road is where the descendants of Coenraad de Buys settled many years before the arrival of the Voortrekkers. A visit to the Mara Agricultural Development Centre, 54 km out of town, will reveal where the South African Bonsmara cattle breed was developed. The Schoemansdal Museum commemorates South Africa's pioneering history and accommodates the grave of Voortrekker leader Andries Hendrik Potgieter . The museum is situated 15 km out of town on the R522 to Vivo.

The Albasini Dam was named after João Albasini the Portuguese Vice-Consul in the early 1800s, who helped the Shangaans to defeat the Venda and assist the Boers against the British. Built on his farm where he and some of his family are buried, 25 km from Louis Trichardt on the Levubu Road, or 12 km from Elim on the Levubu/Vuwani Road, the dam offers boating and angling and the planned Black Hawk Golf and Spa. Visit also the Middle Letaba Dam on the R578 to Giyani. At the Elim Hospital a small museum commemorates the research of Swiss doctors and missionaries who became famous for their work on eyesight. Turn left off the N1 onto the R578 to Giyani via Elim, south of Makhado (Louis Trichardt). Entrance is to the left at the fourway stop at Elim. The Lemana College of Education established in1908 near the hospital has been proclaimed a national monument as one of the first higher educational institutions in the area. The scenic Mambedi Tea Estate between Elim and Levubu on the road to Vuwani can be visited by appointment. To purchase arts and crafts, there are various places to go to. Mashamba Potters sell traditional Venda pottery. Take the R578 at the Riverplaats turn-off after crossing the mountain and then turn left to Mashamba Post Office. At Tsonga Textiles some of the most creative local textile designs are on offer. Cross the four way stop at Elim on the R578, continue up the mountain and turn left at the Shirley farm road. For batiks visit Twananani Batik on the R578 at the foot of the mountain. Turn right at the Mbokota village and immediately left at the first road and ask the villagers for directions. The Rivoni Society for the Blind sells articles such as sisal mats, candles, coat hangers and diamond mesh fencing. Cross the fourway stop at Elim, drive on for a few hundred metres until you see the sign on the right.

The region north of the town offers various scenic drives. Bluegumspoort Drive to Happy Rest Nature Reserve leads across the Zoutpansberg along the N1. The Songozwi sacred burial site of the VhaVenda and Makhado's 'office' (a secluded cave from where he conducted his campaign against the Voortrekkers) are interesting sites to visit. Masekwaspoort and picnic spot is reached some 25 km out of Louis Trichardt on the N1. Witvlag Drive is a 76-km-long scenic drive through the mountains, orchards and plantations to Piesanghoek, 5 km north of town on the N1. Mandadza Falls and rapids should also be visited. Structures that have stood the test of time include the Van Collers Pass built around 1946 and the historic, single-line steel Waterpoort Railway Bridge, built in 1928 and in service until 1975. The bridge can be seen at Waterpoort on the R523. To visit the Machema Ruins on a private farm off the Mopane Road near Waterpoort, obtain information from the Zoutpansberg Tourism & Marketing Association. Guided tours of the Crystal Springs and Bergpan saltpans after which the Zoutpansberg was named can be arranged. Call 015 593 0127. The scenic Wylliespoort and Verwoerd Tunnels through the Zoutpansberg mountain range are reached 20 km north of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) on the N1.

Contact Information

Limpopo Tourism and Parks Resource Centre, Makhado. Tel/Fax: 015 516 3415
E-mail: zoutpansberg@golimpopo.com

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Brief History of the Makhado Region