MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – A historical route trailing the places where skirmishes took place in the Anglo Boer War (1895 to 1915) attracted a Danish official from the South African Embassy in Copenhagen.

Ms Kirsten Nicolasen from Denmark decided to follow the Skirmishes Route in the Soutpansberg area after she had met Ms Inga Gilfillan at the Tourism Indaba in Durban earlier this month. The government organized tours for Ms Nicolasen in other provinces but not in the Limpopo. On May 17, Ms Nicolasen joined Mr Marius and Ms Inga Gilfillan, tour guide Mr Charles Leach, Ms Willie Botha from Soutpansberg Tourism, and some others to explore the Skirmishes Route.

They visited the site of the Battle of Vliegenpan in the Elim area where General Beyers won the combat against the English troops. Captain Berry of the Berry scouts was wounded in this battle and amongst others Sergeant-Major Tom was killed.

Fort Edward was the base from where the Bushveld Carbineers, with their leader, Breaker Morant, launched their attacks on the Boer Commandos. The Bushveld Carbineers, whose name changed to the Pietersburg Light Horse Unit in 1902, were sent to the then Northern Transvaal to take control of the region and to mop up remaining Boers resistance.

Also on the route is the site where the German missionary, Heese, was killed. That resulted in an international outcry as the German Embassy started asking questions, and the British and the Australians involved in the killing were interrogated. Two Bushveld Carbineers were tried and executed.

On the Poog Henning farm, the graves of the Van Staden father and his two boys were visited. The Van Stadens were ordered by the Bushveld Carbineers to dig their own graves, after which they were shot into their graves.

Other interesting historical places were the Sweetwaters Hotel and Sweetwaters Trading Store where General Beyers stayed. He used to play the piano there. While playing the piano he was shot at, but managed to get away.

Ms Kirsten Nicolasen from Denmark enjoyed the route and was ecstatic about the mountain at Hanglip with the wild fig tree growing out of the stone. At the end of July the freelance journalist, Hanneke du Preez, will visit the Skirmishes Route.