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Davel at a glance

A little bit of history:

Some of the earliest inhabitants of the area were the mysterious Leghoya people. Not much is known about them, but ruins of their settlements dating back to c.1400 can be found in the area.

During the mid-1800s, the area prior to the formation as a village, was an outspan area for resting teams of draw animals transporting goods across the region mainly due to the water of the small lakes dotting the area. Modern Ermelo was founded by Dutch Reformed Church Reverend Frans Lion Cachet (1835-1899). He would minister to the many farms in the area. A congregation was started by Cachet in 1870, and was recognised by the 5th annual general meeting of the church in April 1872.

The town would be formed on the farm Nooitgedacht purchased from P.J. Fourie in 1879 and proclaimed on 12 February 1880. It would be managed by the church until 1895 when the government of the South African Republic took over its management. Cachet named it after a town in the Netherlands. Cachet was an outspoken preacher, who had a strong interest in evangelism to Jews, his own family having Jewish heritage. Cachet had met and been influenced by Hermanus Willem Witteveen from Ermelo in the Netherlands as a young man, and named the settlement in honour of Witteveen.

In 1901, the town was reduced to a single standing home by the British during the Second Boer War. The town would be rebuilt in 1903.

Ermelo at a glance

Situated in the Grass and Wetlands region of the Mpumalanga province lies the town of Ermelo. Origin/meaning : Ermelo was founded in 1880, and was named by its first resident clergyman, Rev Frans Lion-Cachet, after Ermelo in the Netherlands. The town was burned to the ground during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) and rebuilt afterwards, hence the phoenix in the arms. It lies in the heart of a wool-producing and coal-mining district, both of which are alluded to in the arms.

Long before the town was formally established, the site was a much frequented outspan on the transport route between Lydenburg and Natal. Because the area is well watered and dotted with freshwater lakelets it soon attracted settlers.

Economy

Today the town is an educational, commercial and industrial center for a district where comprehensive mixed farming is practiced. The Nooitgedacht research station of the department of Agriculture, 4km from the town, conducts research into crop production and animal husbandry.

There is large-scale afforestation (pine, water and blue gum) in the eastern parts of the district. Several large mines extract coal and the district is the country's main source of anthracite and torbanite.

Municipality

Province: Mpumalanga (until 1994 Transvaal)

Incorporated into : 2000 Msukaligwa

Attractions

Anglo-Boer War Memorial:

Near the Dutch Reformed Church in the town center is this commemoration of those who lost their lives in the Anglo-Boer War.

Le Goya Village:

The ruins of a settlement of the area's early inhabitants, dating to around 1400.

San Rock Artwork:

These fascinating pieces of history adorn the walls of many surrounding caves and shelters.

Paul Kruger Bridge:

Upon its construction in 1897, at 124m it was the largest bridge in the Transvaal. Now a national monument over the Vaal River.

Guest Houses

Ideal for an overnight stay and route to the Kruger National Park, to the KwaZulu Natal Battlefields and the Drakensberg to the south, or the game reserves and coast to the east.

  • Drinkwater Guest House
  • La Picasso Guesthouse
  • The Orchards Executive Accommodation
  • Barn Yard
  • Biggie's Bed & Breakfast
  • Bo Kamer Gastehuis
  • Ermelo Inn
  • La Dolce Vita B & B
  • Leliefontein Vakansieplaas
  • Lin Guest House
  • Nu Scotland Bavaria
  • Southfork Guest House

Towns/Places in Ermelo region

  • Carolina 52.1km
  • Belfast 93.5km
  • Piet Retief 104.8km
  • Bethal 58.6km
  • Volksrust 94.2km
  • Waterval Boven 105.0km
  • Secunda 87.8km
  • Standerton 95.6km
  • Waterval Onder 106.2km
  • Badplaas 90.1km
  • Machadodorp 100.0km
  • Witbank 108.5km
  • Wakkerstroom 92.5km
  • Middelburg 102.3km
  • Davel 37.8km

Housing

Only Rentals can assist with a selection of residential property including houses, apartments and townhouses for rent.

Calling all property owners for letting of your property with an experienced team with professional service.

WMPG is one of Ermelo's professional services that will be happy to help you find your perfect home in this little town.

Disclaimer: While every effort will be made to ensure that the information contained within the WMPG Properties website is accurate and up to date, WMPG Properties makes no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor do we assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information. Prospective purchasers and tenants should make their own enquiries to verify the information contained herein.