Location
Middelburg, Mpumalanga
Known as the "Heartland of the Ndebele", Middelburg came about in 1872 when the town of Nazareth was renamed to mark its halfway location between the two important towns at the time, Pretoria and Lydenburg.
Middelburg is located in the Mpumalanga Province, which is famous for its fauna and flora, as well as what it has to offer to the historical and cultural enthusiast. The area is a haven for the naturalist who can enjoy hiking, fly-fishing, camping, horseback riding or 4x4 drives and trails.
Middelburg is 170 km from Johannesburg, 140km from Pretoria and 200km from Nelspruit.
The town also has its share of places of historical interest, including the White Church which was built in 1890.
The church was used by British soldiers during the second Anglo Boer War and is one of the few remaining structures that weren’t destroyed during the war. The Meyer's Bridge, built in 1896, has remained standing for over a century, surviving numerous floods. This national monument was created as a road link between Lydenburg and Middelburg at the turn of the century.
Middelburg, the birthplace of celebrated playwright Athol Fugard, is in the heart of "Jock of the Bushveld" country.
Today, Middelburg is one of the growth points of the province. It boasts a number of good restaurants and pubs and incorporates a children's games area. There's an active nightlife in nearby Witbank, about 25 kilometres from Middelburg.
The town offers the opportunity to leave behind the mad bustle of the metropolitan areas such as Johannesburg and Pretoria, without having to forego the amenities and activities one would expect from a modern town. There's a strong sense of community, with numerous, well-established interest groups for activities such as photography, bird watching, community development and active Charity groups, eg Rotary, Lions & Round Table.
Middelburg is also known for Botshabelo
which was used by the German Missionaries in the 1800's and later turned into a teacher's college where many black teachers were trained. Botshabelo is also a birthplace of the world renowned artist and musician Gerald Sekoto.
