Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal

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Historical nation-states of present-day
South Africa
(including Boer republics and TBVC states)

Mapungubwe (1050-1270)
Swellendam (1795)
Graaff Reinet (1795-1796)
Waterboer's Land (1813-1871)
Adam Kok's Land (1825-1861)
Winburg (1836-1844)
Potchefstroom (1837-1844)
Potchefstroom, North West (1844-1848)
Republic of Utrecht (1854-1858)
Lydenburg Republic (1856-1860)
Nieuw Republiek (1884-1888)
Griqualand East (1861-1879)
Griqualand West (1870)
Klein Vrystaat (1886-1891)
Stellaland (1882-1885)
Goshen (South Africa) (1882-1883)
Zululand (1816-1897)
Natalia Republic (1839–1843)
Orange Free State (1854-1902)
South African Republic (1857-1902)
Union of South Africa (1910–1961)
Bophuthatswana (1977-1994)
Ciskei (1981-1994)
Transkei (1976-1994)
Venda (1979-1994)
Republic of South Africa (1961-present)

Vryheid is a coal mining and cattle ranching town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Vryheid is Afrikaans for "freedom" or "liberty".

[edit] History

Flag of Vryheid.

After British and Boer mercenaries had helped Dinuzulu defeat his rival Usibepu for succession of the Zulu throne, land and farming rights were granted to them along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the mercenaries formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its capital. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic, but at the end of the Second Boer War the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into Natal. Vryheid is located along the Spoornet Coaline.