Saturday, August 29, 2009

Elandslaagte (J11)

Name: Elandslaagte

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Elandslaagte Battlefield and Cemetery:
General Kock occupied the Elandslaagte railway station on the 19 October 1899.

General White was of the view that it was essential to keep the railway line open to Dundee for the retreat of the British forces. General French, with a force of infantry, artillery and cavalry, was dispatched to recapture this station, which he managed to after a fierce battle on the 20 October. The site of this battle is 3 kms east of Elandslaagte station, amongst a horseshoe-shaped series of low hills.

Other Cultural attractions
Carl Landman's House:
An example of houses built by the Voortrekker leader who fought at the Battle of Blood River.

Fort Mistake:
Closely resembling an Indian fort. One of a series of British signaling posts built between Ladysmith and Newcastle during the First War of Independence (1880-1881). The remains of the once sturdy fortress can be reached after a brisk 45 minute climb, starting at Fort Mistake Motel on the Laydysmith / Newcastle Road. An interesting display of clippings relating to the history of the Fort can be found at the motel (the motel now is derelict - I think - CH).

http://www.africantravelexperiences.com/Information/Towns/Glencoe.htm







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Friday, August 28, 2009

Elandskop (K13)

Name: Elandskop

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We are gathered here today on an occasion of great significance. It is no secret that only a few years ago this district of Elandskop was the scene of some of the worst violence and destruction in this province of ours. Often it seemed there was no end to it, the people here were in real despair. Then it was the spear and the gun that seemed to rule people's lives. Yet today we are here to hand over the instruments of peace, the computers which promise to take the people of this district, that has suffered so much, into the modern world where so much that is good can be achieved. It is a sign of the reconciliation that has blessedly descended on this province, a sign that the youth are at last to be given the chance to build a better future for themselves and those around them
From: http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za/publications/speeches/2000/speech_21_7.htm
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Elandskop (K13)

Name: Elandskop

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Elandshoek (K 8)

Name: Elandshoek

Between Nelspruit & Machadadorp.
Elandshoek - Railway Station in Elandshoek, Mpumalanga, South Africa
This site may have nthing to do with the station - but I found it interesting:

http://www.elandshoek.co.za/

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While the two main forces in the Anglo-Boer War 2 were White, it was not an exclusively White war. At least 15 000 Blacks were used as combatants by the British, especially as scouts to track down Boer commandoes and armed block house guards, but also in non-combatant roles by both British and Boer forces as wagon drivers, etc. They suffered severely as result of the British “scorched earth policy” during which those who lived on White farms were removed to concentration camps, as were the women and children of their White employers. The rural economy was destroyed as crops were ravaged and livestock butchered. Displaced and captured civilians were forced into ‘refugee camps', a total misnomer, because more often they did not seek refuge in the camps, but were rounded up by the British forces and forced into the camps, which soon became known as ‘concentration camps'. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts had an ulterior motive in putting Blacks into camps, namely to make them work, either to grow crops for the troops or to dig trenches, be wagon drivers or work as miners once the gold mines became partly operational again. They did not receive rations, hardly any medical support or shelter and were expected to grow their own crops. The able-bodied who could work, could exchange labour for food or buy mealie meal at a cheaper price. The British along racial lines separated the White and Black camps. The inmates of the Black camps, situated along railway lines and on the border, became the eyes and ears of the British army. They formed an early warning system against Boer attacks on the British military's primary logistic artery – the railway lines and acted as scouts for British forces. This strategy alienated Whites and Blacks from each other by furthering distrust between the two population groups and was detrimental to racial harmony in South Africa after the war. Concentration Camps for Blacks. Transvaal Colony: Balmoral; Belfast; Heidelberg; Irene; Klerksdorp; Krugersdorp; Middelburg; Standerton; Vereeniging; Volksrust; Bantjes; Bezuidenhout's Valley; Boksburg; Brakpan; Bronkhorstspruit; Brugspruit; Elandshoek; Elandsrivier; Frederikstad; Greylingstad; Groot Olifants River; Koekemoer; Klipriviersberg; Klip River; Meyerton; Natalspruit; Nelspruit; Nigel; Olifantsfontein; Paardekop; Platrand; Rietfontein West; Springs; Van der Merwe Station; Witkop; Wilgerivier. Free State: Allemans Siding; America Siding; Boschrand; Eensgevonden; Geneva; Harrismith; Heilbron; Holfontein; Honingspruit; Houtenbek; Koppies; Rooiwal; Rietspruit; Smaldeel; Serfontein; Thaba ‘Nchu; Taaibosch; Vet River; Virginia; Ventersburg Road; Vredefort Road; Welgelegen; Winburg; Wolwehoek. Cape Colony and British Bechuanaland.(Administered by the O.R.C): Kimberley; Orange River; Taungs; Dryharts.

From:

http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/chronology/special-chrono/governance/1902-blkconcentrationcamp.htm
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Elandsfontein (G 9)

Name: Elandsfontein

South Africa gauteng, Germiston Elandsfontein
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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Eersterus (G 8)

Name: Eersterus


More or less in the Year 1905 the then owner of a farm close to Pretoria where the township of Eersterust now resides, divided a portion of his property into plots to sell. The township was develop for Coloureds to stay there, but the plots were mainly bought by Black People( Van der Walt,1966 ).

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Eersterivier (B 16)

Name: Eersterivier



It was, and still is today, a gateway between Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. It is conveniently located near to both the Stellenbosch and Heldeberg Wine Routes.

The suburb is located in the rural area near to Somerset West and is a quite and relaxed location for visitors.

However, there is exciting developments taking place in the area with plans for the Cape's first film studio to be built in this area which will provide a great attraction for the area.

Call the visitor information centre for details on attractions and activities on 021 840 1400.

http://www.tourismcapetown.co.za/index.php?cityhome+96958

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Eerste Fabrieke (H 8)

Name: Eerste Fabrieke

http://www.steam-in-action.com/pdf/Twenty_First_Birthday.pdf

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Manager and developer of State-owned property Intersite is generating millions of rands in income for the local rail and construction industries.

Since its inception in 1992, the company has created some 80 000 direct and indirect jobs and has made an overall financial impact on the economy of some R2,9-billion, according to a report released earlier this year.

One of Intersite’s primary tasks has been the refurbishment, expansion and development of existing and new rail commuter stations.

Already completed in Gauteng are the Bosman street station in Pretoria at a cost of R2,5-million; the Eerste Fabrieke station in Northern Gauteng at R4-million; the Pretoria station at R6-million; the Soshanguve station at R6,4-million and a similar-sized station for Mamelodi, MD Paul Gange reports.

read more: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/station-upgrades-uplift-economy-1999-05-28

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The Railway Safety Regulator has noted the closure of the
portion of the line between Pienaarspoort and Eerste-Fabrieke by
the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) earlier in the
week.

The blatant criminal behaviour of some commuters on this line
related to reported incidents of train hijackings where unruly
crowds would force the train driver to take the train from
Eerste-Fabrieke to Pienaarspoort resulting in the running of
unscheduled services, is unacceptable. This conduct coupled with
other acts of violence, intimidation, vandalism and malicious
damage to Metrorail's assets had become a daily occurrence and
undermined the operator's ability to provide a safe services.
These incidents, which took place over the past few months, have
posed a serious threat to railway safety on a massive scale.

It is on this basis that the RSR supports PRASA's decision to
suspend a portion of the operations on this line as further
operations before the situation is remedied would have resulted in
a direct violation of our safety standards and requirements.

The Regulator has similarly noted that the infrastructure in
this area is not suitable for modern commuter rail services and
needs to be upgraded. The infrastructure deficiencies would have
had further safety implications if rail services continued in this
area. The RSR is pleased to note that PRASA is putting in place a
number of measures to remedy the situation. The RSR is monitoring
progress thereto quite closely. An amount of R230 million for the
upgrade of this infrastructure has been set aside by PRASA.

The RSR wishes to remind the affected communities and relevant
organs of civil society in the area that we are enjoined in our
obligation to ensure that all citizens are safe and secure in the
railway environment. It is a tragedy when we allow criminal
elements within our communities to hold innocent people to ransom
in order to achieve their narrow selfish interests. We must all
take firm, immediate and decisive action against these elements in
order to allow the operator to restore the services that are
desperately needed by the community. It is our intention to
urgently engage with both PRASA and the Railway Police in order to
ensure that all our interventions lead to a sustainable solution.

Issued by
Railway Safety Regulator
PO Box 655
BRUMA
2026
Oct 29, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Issued by: RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR

Attention:News Editors

For immediate release:

29 October 2009


More information
Lawrence Venkile (Spokesperson) 0835638621
Media enquiries
Lavinia Mahlangu - Communication Manager
Tel: (011) 417 0002 Mobile: (082) 888 6184 Email:
laviniam@rsr.org.za

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Eendekuil (B14)

Name: Eendekuil

Google count:202,000 for eendekuil

Date:19 August 2009

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Where to stay: http://www.eendekuil.co.za/contact.htm
MAP:
http://www.saexplorer.co.za/south-africa/map/eendekuil_map.asp

Edendale (K 13)

Name: Edendale

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Edenburg (E 12)

Name: Edenburg

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Eatonside (F10)

Name: Eatonside

In the Vaal triangle near Vanderbijlpark.

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East London (J16)

Name: East London

East London,(Afrikaans: Oos-Londen, Xhosa: eMonti) is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated at 32.97°S and 27.87°E in the Buffalo City Local Municipality in the Amatole District of the Eastern Cape Province. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River and Gonubie Rivers, and is the country's only river port. East London today has a population of over 400,000, with over 1.4 million in the greater metropolitan area.
www.eastlondon.org.za/

Keynote address by Honourable Gloria Barry, MEC for Roads and Transport at the launch of the new Kei Rail Coaches, AmaBhele Station:http://www.search.gov.za/info/previewDocument.jsp?dk=%2Fdata%2Fstatic%2Finfo%2Fspeeches%2F2009%2F09022010451002.htm%40Gov&q=(+(g+barry%3CIN%3Etitle)+)+%3CAND%3E(+Category%3Cmatches%3Es+)&t=G+Barry%3A+Kei+Rail+Coaches+launch

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The Kimmerling Plaque
This plaque, on the corner of Gleneagles and Galway roads, commemorates the first controlled power-driven flight in South Africa.

More info on East London

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It is less known that 80 000 and also 30 000 years ago at the height of the last ice age the shore was further away than it is now, possibly as much as 60 kms in the Tsitsikhamma and 10 to 20 kms from East London.


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Friday, August 14, 2009

Durban (M 14)

Name: Durban

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http://citysearch.yellowpages.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=45:overview&id=224:getting-to-durban&Itemid=24

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Dunswart (G 9)

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Dunnottar (H10)

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Dundee (J11)

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Dullstroom (J8)

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Duiwelskloof (J5)

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Duff's Road (M13)

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Dube

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Train