COLESBURG
Just 28 km from the Orange River, the best symmetrical cone-shaped hill on this lonely town, acted as a landmark for early vacationers who embark to explore the unknown interior. It marked the furthest reaches of the Cape colony and was established as a mission station in the hope of getting peace to a turbulent frontier. Christianity attracted a multitude of hunter gatherer Bushmen and pastoralist Khoikhoi, though the incoming white farmers perceived them as a threat to their security. Consequently the Cape Government closed the missionary stations down. In 1822 the farmers petitioned for town situation and like others it was named after a colonial leader; Sir Lowry Cole, Governor of the Cape. As with most frontier towns, illicit gunpowder along with a liquor trade made it an active place.
It calmed down together with the arrival of a Magistrate, but strife came back through the Boer War when numerous battles were fought in the vicinity. It had been declared "Free State Territory" by Boers who held the town for a few months. Nowadays this hot dry place in the centre of the Great Karoo is a prospering agricultural centre for merino sheep and horse breeding. Certain elements in the soil produce such good grass that lots of Cape Town’s most talented race horses began here. The town has a rare blend of architectural styles, among Karoo cottage and Cape Dutch gables to ornate Victorian and symmetrical Georgian. It still includes a frontier quality to it as there is nothing else for miles, but perhaps that's why the people are so warm and friendly here.
Ljao/jan/1v21