Middelburg is renowned as a gateway to heritage according to the chairman of Middelburg Heritage, Rudi van Wyk.
He welcomed guest at the 24th symposium of the Heritage Association of South Africa today.
Mr Van Wyk said the town’s heritage is deeply rooted in it’s origins and evolution.
“The concept of a gateway has been interwoven with Middelburg’s identity since its earliest days.
“In the 1860’s, during the turbulent times between the Republic of Potchefstroom and the Republic of Lydenburg, Middelburg served as the travellers’ gateway. When these republics united, and Pretoria emerged as the centre of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republic, the need arose for a central point halfway between Pretoria and Lydenburg.
Thus, Middelburg was established in 1864 as the gateway to the east, a role reflected by the hospitality offered to travellers through numerous hotels and boarding houses in the town.
“During the gold rush to the eastern Lowveld, optimistic prospectors passed through this gateway in pursuit of fortune.
The influx of these travellers made Middelburg a bustling centre, prompting special attention to law and order due to the crowds of visitors from far and wide.
“The construction of the Oosterspoor railway further cemented Middelburg’s status as a hub.
The town became a crucial centre for the farming communities to the north and south, providing them with access to markets on the new Witwatersrand – a vital gateway for their agricultural produce.
“In the era of the Anglo-Boer War, Middelburg once again played a pivotal role as a gateway. Initially, it provided refuge for Boers and women and children retreating before the advancing British forces as they prepared for the later guerrilla warfare.
Later, it became the path through which British troops marched into the Eastern Transvaal.”
He said this tradition of being a gateway endures in the modern era.
“Middelburg has become the conduit for ferrochrome and stainless steel, connecting these industries to the rest of the country and international markets.
Additionally, the central hub for the Cabora Bassa electrical supply – serving as a gateway to South Africa’s integrated electrical system, is located just outside Middelburg.
“For many of you, Middelburg is synonymous with access to the tourist attractions and game parks of Mpumalanga. The town’s longstanding reputation for hospitality has been a defining characteristic for years.
“This rich heritage as a gateway is something that must be preserved and recorded. Hosting the HASA symposium and you in Middelburg is one way to achieve this, but the ongoing efforts of Middelburg Heritage are equally vital.
As a community organisation, Middelburg Heritage is committed to preserving, educating, and protecting our heritage through awareness programmes. One such initiative is the Blue Heritage Plaque project, in which heritage sites are marked with visible plaques featuring scanable codes that link to detailed information pages.
This project aims to conserve our heritage for future generations.”
He invited guests to journey through this gateway to heritage – not only of Middelburg, but also of the broader country and region.
“We are proud to continue Middelburg’s tradition of hospitality, and we sincerely hope you enjoy your experience at this symposium and your passage through our rich heritage.
Let us build through this gateway the preservation of our heritage and conserve it for future generations.”
