Things To Do in KimberleyMagersfontein Battlefield Museum
Where? Magersfontein Battlefield Museum, 2 Edgerton Road, Belgravia, Kimberley
How? Call +27 (0)53 833-7115
How much? Price on request
Overnight? Stay at accommodation in Kimberley, in Northern Cape
Due to the abundance of riches discovered in and around modern-day Kimberley in the 19th century, this part of South Africa was subject to a number of fierce battles. These took place between the Boers, the English settlers and, to a lesser extent, the indigenous folk that had been occupying this land for centuries.
The Magersfontein Battlefield is 31.5 kilometres south of Kimberley, which has become a bustling, growing town. It was the site of a battle that took place on 11 December 1899, during the Second South African War. It was between the Boers and the British, but the Boers’ victory was almost uncontested. In fact, this war was close to being successful in destroying the whole of Scotland’s Highland Brigade.
Today, there are formal tours of the battlefields, conducted by experienced, knowledgeable guides. These tours add so much value to a visit to this important site. There is a short audiovisual account, which is a new feature, of the actual battle, and a trip up the hills and into the trenches. Included in this tour is a visit to some of the graves of the fallen Boer fighters.
The museum has recently been renovated and revamped to provide visitors with a modern perspective of a historical event.
