SOOILAER
Directions: Take the Loskop road from the Estcourt North turn-off. Continue and turn off at the Injisuthi Road on your left, directly after turning left, turn right on a gravel road. The SooilaerMonument will be visible on your left hand side after traveling for a while and just before crossing a bridge where the local hospital is situated.
Elevation: 1078m
GPS: 29 Y-056470 SA X3202721
Accuracy: 9m
Above: Memorial at Sooilaer
Significance: Because of a lack of grazing at Doornkop, Gerrit Maritz and his laager trekked to Sooilaer. In view of the danger of attack by the Zulus he formed up the wagons in a strong laager on the left bank of the river and strengthened it further by building a thick wall of sods around it. From this the name Sooilaer was derived meaning “Sodwall” encampment.
When the Voortrekkers were attacked at Veglaer/Modderlaer on the 13th and 14th of August, a commando went from Sooilaer to help them. It became evident that all the Voortrekkers had to combine their strengths and accordingly Hans Dons de Lange and Koos Potgieter left Veglaer and joined the forces of Maritz at Sooilaer.
Hans Dons de Lange and Koos Potgieter organized their laager on the right hand side of the Little Tugela River, across from Gerrit Maritz who had his laager on the left side of the river. This group also strengthened their laager with sod walls and started to plant crops.
Both groups stayed on the bank of the Little Tugela for several months.
Gerrit Maritz’s health was deteriorating and he passed away at Sooilaer on the 23rd of September 1838. He was buried two days later just outside the laager. In 1895 his remains were exhumed and re-interred at the BloukransMonument.
At the beginning of December 1838, the famous “Wenkommando” set out from Sooilaer under the command of Genenral A.W.J. Pretorius and on the 16th of December 1838 they defeated the Zulu at Blood River. When the commando returned the Voortrekkers gradually dispersed and Sooilaer ceased to exist as a stronghold.
A bronze plaque was erected at the site in 1956 by the National Monuments Council.
Condition Assessment: The site is in an excellent condition, bronze plaques are still in position. The memorial is fenced off.
Recommendations: Brush-cut grass at least once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer.
Repaint turn-style and fence poles on an annual basis.
Monitor the fence and turn-style for repair on an annual basis and repair where necessary.
