The first Europeans to enter the Lowveld was an expedition of 31 men led by Frans de Kuiper. They left Delagoa Bay (Maputo) on 27 June 1725 and entered Mpumalanga on the 5th July 1725. They tried unsuccessfully to obtain a guide, but were unsuccessful as the local chief had given specific instructions that the expedition must not be shown the trading route to the interior and Limpopo. On the 9 July they began travelling north and obtained a guide from a chief living next to the present Ngweti Creek, south-west of Komatipoort and crossed the Crocodile River, approximately 3 km north-east of the Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. They travelled until they reached Gomondwana, 12 km northwest of Crocodile Bridge, where they were attacked by the local inhabitants and were forced to return to the fort at Delagoa Bay which they reached on Monday 16 July 1725. This memorial marks the spot where the attack took place.

Be the first to leave a comment.

Be the first to submit a link or media file

Be the first to submit a link