Louw's Creek
| Louw's Creek Low’s Creek, Mantibovu | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | Cape River |
• coordinates | 25°35′23″S 31°18′31″E / 25.5897°S 31.3085°E |
Louw's Creek (also known as Low’s Creek and historically as Mantibovu, meaning "red or brown water" in Siswati) is a small town in Mpumalanga, South Africa and a tributary of the Cape River. The town developed along the creek which flows northwards near the border with Eswatini.
The name "Low's Creek" is derived from David Ireland Low, a Scottish prospector who discovered a gold-bearing reef in the area.[1] Before this period, the area was known in Siswati as "Mantibovu" (red water) to commemorate a battle around 1850 when the Swazi people drove the Mbayi people from the area, during which the creek reportedly ran red with blood.[2]
History
It was named after David Ireland Low.[1] In 1895, Low’s Creek became one of the stations on the Barberton to Kaapmuiden railway line, drawing settlers to the agricultural community.[1] The area surrounding the creek was farmed and developed, including the establishment of Low’s Creek Farm, which was granted to Jack Dreyer, a member of the secret services during the South African War (1899–1902).[1] Dreyer operated the Dreyer Hotel, later renamed the Low’s Creek Hotel, after the completion of the main road between Witwatersrand and Komatipoort.[1]
Earlier, the creek and its surroundings were inhabited by Bapedi communities, notably the Mbayi people.[3] Swazi regiments under King Mswati II drove them from the area and established a military post called Mekemeke to safeguard land.[4][5]
References
- ^ a b c d e A Brief Overview of Louw's Creek, Mpumalanga.com, accessed 15 January 2025
- ^ Liebenberg, Marlies (2016). Heritage Survey and Umjindi Area Heritage Structure. Barberton–Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site Nomination Dossier, Appendix I. August 2016, Version 1.1. Page 7
- ^ von Breitenbach, F. (1990). Reports on Indigenous Forests, Part 1: Introduction and Methods; South-eastern Transvaal Forests; Kaapsehoop Forests; Uitsoek Forests,Department of Environment Affairs, Forestry Branch, Pretoria, Page 18
- ^ Celliers, Jean-Pierre (14 August 2008). Mekemeke: A study of the archaeological sequence and interaction between two Swazi villages of the late. 19th and early 20th century, University of Pretoria
- ^ Myburgh, A.C. (1949). The Tribes of Barberton District. Department of Native Affairs. Ethnological Publications No. 25. Page 47