Beacon Hill (J12)

Name: Beacon Hill

Google count: 10,200 for Beacon Hill
Date: 22 July 2008

Historic fact:

Thus on the afternoon of the 22nd November, a column consisting of the West Yorks. The East Surreys, four companies of the Queen’s, the Durban Light Infantry, the 7th Field Battery and a Naval 12-pounder, marched out of Estcourt past Fort Durnford, past the Red Cutting at Cooper’s Kop, and on to the base of Beacon Hill, about five or six miles out. They were to be followed on the 23rd by the Border Regiment and the Mounted troops.

The day had been extremely hot and the late afternoon resulted in a violent thunderstorm accompanied by hailstones of unusual size, which caused damage to helmets and some injury to personnel. All troops were drenched to the skin and, when light came with at least another four storms, the ground was so drenched that rest was impossible. Furthermore, except for the lightning flashes it was so dark that visibility was nil. Old colonists and campaigners could hardly remember such a night. There were lightning fatalities on both sides.

As a result of some troops exposing themselves in the late afternoon on the side if Beacon hill which was about 5 000 yards north of Brynbelle, the Boers opened up with their big gun. The naval gun, which had been hauled up with great difficulty onto Beacon Hill, unfortunately replied, thus giving the Boers an indication that something big was contemplated.

Read more: http://www.durbanlightinfantry.co.za/site/awdep.asp?depnum=2912

Other interesting info:
The Bushman's River is called uMtshezi in Zulu, and the municipality adopted this name.
Location
uMtshezi Municipality forms part of the uThukela District Municipality.
Towns and settlements within the municipal boundaries: Beacon Hill, Chieveley, Cornfields, Ennersdale, Estcourt, Frere, Mimosadale Rockmount, South Downs, Thembalihle, Weenen, Wembesi.

uMtshezi Municipality comprises parts of the Magisterial Districts of Weenen and Estcourt, the informal settlements of Cornfields, Thembalihle, Mimosadale, and numerous settlements around Weenen. It is located approximately 165 km northwest of Durban and 400 km southeast of Johannesburg. The National Road N3 also traverses the Municipality on its western portion linking these two major cities i.e. Durban and Johannesburg. uMtshezi covers 2 129.82 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 59 000, with 13 951 households, constituting about 9% of the Uthukela District Council population.

The municipality boasts well-established industrial, commercial and residential areas as well as rich agricultural farmlands. It is the largest commercial centre in the Midlands region, and an important service centre for nearby Mooi River, Winterton, Bergville, Colenso and Weenen. The area has a rich history and a range of cultures. The urban areas originally developed as stopover points for ox wagons Estcourt Town is the main urban centre for the Municipality.

Estcourt was first settled in 1874, was called .Bushman.s River., but renamed to Estcourt in 1861 after Mr T. Estcourt, MP of North Wiltshire and sponsor of the British settlers. Weenen is a small agricultural town that is starting to emerge as a tourist destination.

More: http://www.kzntopbusiness.co.za/2007/Municipalities/uMtshezi%20Local%20Municipality.htm
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