Sites

THIS IS THE ARCHIVE FOR SAHRIS 1.0


THIS SITE IS NOW AN ARCHIVE AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MAKING APPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no content and application creation or changes to information on this version of SAHRIS will be retained.

To make applications or utilise SAHRIS for the creation of information, please use the new site:

https://sahris.org.za

Changes to SAHRIS!

The South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) has undergone a generational upgrade and restructure. These changes to the site include, but are not limited to:

  • A new & modernised look and layout
  • Improved site usage flows with respect to applications and content creation
  • Improved site performance and stability

Launch for the new version of SAHRIS occurred on Monday the 30th of October 2023.

The new site can be found here:

SAHRIS | SAHRIS

9/2/409/0010

Group

SiteHeader

SiteID: 

26291

FullSiteName: 

Saailaer, Farm Zaay Lager 1199, Estcourt District

SiteCategory: 

PropertyIsSite: 

No

ReferenceList: 

Relationships: 

Group content visibility: 

Public - accessible to all site users

Author: 

Anonymous

FeaturedSite?: 

NO
Post date: 07/08/2012
Site Comments:

Archive Import
History: Saailaer, the camp of the well-known Voortrekker leader Gert Maritz, was the furthest south of the laagers at the time of the Great Murder. It stood in a horseshoe bend of the Bushman’s River just east of Estcourt. Fort Durnford on top of a hill to the east of Estcourt affords a perfect view of the whole terrain. Standing there, one sees, straight below, the Great and Little Bushman’s Rivers, and in the fork formed by their confluence, the town of Estcourt. On the right is the great bend in the river almost surrounding Saailaer on the slope beyond.
This was the site of Gert Maritz’s laager early in 1838. Being a careful and alert leader, he was mindful of the possibility of an attack by the Zulus and prepared his laager thoroughly. It probably stood on the slope of the hill, to the left of the present farm road, where remains of clay walls can still be seen.
Because Saailaer was situated slightly off the direct route of the Zulu attacks on the night of 16-17th February, Maritz’s laager was not attacked until later in the day. He was awakened early in the morning by the sound of shots from other laagers, so he had time to prepare for an attack. The attack eventually developed from across the river. The river was in flood and this was of the greatest advantage to the Voortrekkers. The Zulus tried to cross the river by linking hands and forming a human chain, but the chain was repeatedly broken by shots from a small brass cannon the Voortrekkers had. Eventually the Zulus took to flight and Maritz with a small commando could hasten to the help of the other laagers.
While Maritz’s laager was camped here an irrigation scheme was started. Water was led from the river by a furrow which is still in use, and the fertile fields in the valley were cultivated just as they still are today. Other relics of those times are the fragments of clay walls already mentioned, the scar left by an old road over the farm and the signs of the drift where it crossed the river. At a much later date a monument to Gert Maritz was erected there.
After the Great Murder Gert Maritz moved his laager to Strydpoort, and after the Battle of Blood River the farm Saailaer came into the possession of the Rudolph family and remained their property for a number of generations. The gravestones in the well-kept family cemetery near the house bear witness to this.

The history of Zaaylager Farm (Saailaer) stretched back to when the Voortrekkers first entered Natal.
Visual Description:
Colours:
Site Features: Condition: FairThis site has been over restored
Construction Date:
Materials:
Catalogue: , No: , Significance Category:

Directions:
Entering Estcourt from Pmb. cross river and take first right, Drummond St. Becomes Paterson. Right i
 
 

Search form