Hofmeyr

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Geography and History

Hofmeyr is a pretty little town that lies at the foot of the Bamboes Mountain Range in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Hofmeyr was originally called Maraisburg, this town was established in 1873 and renamed after Jan Hofmeyr, a linguist and champion of the Afrikaans language.

The Bamboes mountain range begins in Molteno and becomes one with the Drakensberg escarpment, which splits into the separate ranges of Stormberg, Bamboes, Suurberg, Nieuveld and Komsberg as it enters the Eastern Cape.

Hofmeyr is also known for the discovery of the Hofmeyr Skull. This is a 36 000 year-old homo sapien skull that was found in a dry channel bed of the Vlekpoort river, just outside Hofmeyr. The skull supports the hypothesis that humans evolved in Africa before 200 000 years ago.

Activities

Some activities in Hofmeyr include the Anglo-Boer War Memorial. The memorial commemorates the Boers who died in the Anglo-Boer War. Dutch Reformed Church: The pillars and portico of the church are similar to those of the church in Cradock. Before it was installed in the Dutch Reformed Church, the pulpit was used at the christening of Paul Kruger, the last president of the Transvaal Republic (South African Republic). Historical buildings: Several old buildings have been preserved in the town. Hofmeyr Museum: Learn more about the history of the town at the Hofmeyr Museum, in itself an interesting old building.

As a photographer you will be intrigued by the beautiful changing colours of the mountains in this beautiful part of the country!