Nelspruit

Nelspruit is the capital of the Mpumalanga Province meaning ‘place where the sun rises’. Blessed with numerous waterfalls that drop from the dramatic cliff faces, whilst wild horses roam in Kaapsehoop.

North of Middelburg is the museum village of Botshabelo. It keeps the traditions of the Ndebele, who are part of the large group of Nguni people. Around the 15th and 16th century the Ndebele moved from Natal to live there with other Nguni groups.

Neighbouring Pilgrims Rest is an old gold mining town that has become dropped out of thought as time has passed. Nearby Komatipoort is used as a path to Mozambique.

Nelspruit got its names from the Nel family who settled in in 1905. The farmed in the area and set up along Crocodile River that runs through the middle of the province.

The Sudwala caves became a place of Swazi legend. Prince Somquba sought shelter here in the dolomite caves from persecution, in time he died but the remainding survivors sought shelter in the caves under the guidance of a tribal councilor called Sudwala.

Dangerous Darkies are the only professional football team from the area who were in the top division for two seasons in the 1990s but then fell dramatically from the top tier leagues.