THEN – 1900’S

Seen here the Harrismith and Vrede troops relaxing at the foot of Mushroom rock, after a period of inactivity until mid-July, who received orders to proceed to Naauwpoort, a mountain pass located in the lofty Rooiberge mountains near Clarens. This pass was the target of a large British force that was advancing towards it.

NOW

Mushroom rock on St Fort.

BACKGROUND

The Boer Wars took place between 1880 and 1881, as well as from 1899 to 1902. When facing the British forces, who were more powerful and had greater numbers, the Boers adopted an unconventional and highly mobile fighting style that gave rise to the term “commando.” The commandos from Harrismith, Vrede, and Heilbron were initially tasked with defending the passes in the Drakensberg mountain range, spanning from Oliviershoek to De Beers. In Natal, General Buller’s army moved northwards, ascending the Drakensberg via Botha’s Pass and Laing’s Nek, ultimately advancing into the Transvaal. At the same time, the Harrismith and Vrede troops, after a period of inactivity until mid-July, received orders to proceed to Naauwpoort, a mountain pass located in the lofty Rooiberge mountains near Clarens. This pass was the target of a large British force that was advancing towards it.