Camp among chiefs and cannons

People usually shoot through Magoebaskloof on their way to the Kruger and other campsites in the Lowveld Next time, hit the road a day or two early and set up camp on these spots.

- Leon Botha

Magoebaskloof is one of the gateways from the Highveld to the Lowveld, and the famous Magoebaskloof Pass is on the R71 between Haenertsburg and Tzaneen, with a descent of around 620 m in 5,5 km. When you look at the beauty of the landscape around you, it’s fair to expect equally special campsites. We set up camp at two campsites in the area and found out that Magoebas is also more than just a name: it’s a story of a century-old murder – and the destruction of iconic cannons.

A bust in front of the Magoebaskloof hotel today reminds us of the origin of the name, and a few shards of a phenomenal artillery weapon is all that remains in Haenertsburg.

Makgoba’s legacy 

We visited Magoebaskloof Getaway more than 10 years ago, and the Magoebaskloof Mountain Lodge in 2019. On his trip to the latter, colleague Cyril Klopper told how the bust of Chief Mamphoku Makgoba – after whom the area was named – was unveiled a second time after it had previously gone missing. Fortunately, the Makgoba bust is still at the hotel to this day. The valley behind it, formed by the Politsi River, can surely also be called the Makgobaskloof.

The story of Makgoba’s last days has different versions depending on your source*. One thing is certain: Chief Makgoba was upset because the Boer republic wanted to tax him and his people, and there was a threat of resettlement. This was, of course, against the will of the chief and his people and a war broke out between Chief Makgoba and the Boers.

Somewhere along the line the chief was apparently arrested and imprisoned, but he managed to escape and vowed that no white person would ever take him prisoner again. These would be prophetic words.