People are our passion and therefore we would like to welcome you at our Guest House here in Harrismith, nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Free State! It is our wish that from the moment you step into Amadudu you will feel welcome and right at home. We have made every attempt to equip our guest house with everything you might need to make your stay memorable, enjoyable and comfortable.

History The town was founded in 1849 and named after British Governor Harry Smith, who tried to persuade the disillusioned Voortrekkers not to abandon Natal. The town was initially laid out by Robert Moffat about 25km from the present location, in present day Aberfeldy on the Elands River. This site unfortunately proved to be deficient in water and Harrismith was shifted to its present site in January 1850. Twenty-four years later it became a municipality and during the diamond rush at Kimberley, the town became a busy staging post on the Natal transport route. As a direct result of this, hotels, stores and public buildings sprang up. Harrismith was a major base during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War and visitors can see the numerous battle sites, blockhouses and a military cemetery that are evidence of this. The town's main street, Warden Street, is named after Major Henry D. Warden, at that time a British resident in Bloemfontein. The town is around 90 kilometers from Ladysmith, a town named after Sir Harry Smith's wife that is located in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The small nearby hamlet of Swinburne is named after Sir Johan Swinburne, a gold prospector. [edit]Present day Most people only know it as a convenient refueling stop for trucks, vehicles and people but it does have much more to offer. Located in the foothills of the Drakensberg, it is close to the Northern Berg ("mountain" translated from Afrikaans) and the Amphi-theatre and Mont-Aux-Sources are easily accessible from here. The town is also home to the largest truck stop in the Southern Hemisphere, Highway Junction. Harrismith is the centre of one of the five wool producing districts in Southern Africa. Two other places in the world bear the same name: Harrismith Beach and Harrismith House near Bottom Bay in Barbados and Harrismith in the Wheat-belt region of Western Australia. Tourist attractions Harrismith Town Hall - A graceful sandstone and brick building built in 1907, and a National Monument. Harrismith Wildflower Gardens - Founded in 1967 as a botanical garden these contain about 20 % of the Drakensberg region's flora. Located around two dams fed by mountain springs. A perfect picnic spot. Platberg - The most famous landmarks in the Eastern Free State is the 9 kilometre long, 2,377 metre high, Platberg. The annual Platberg Mountain Race is held across Platberg. This race forms part of the Berg Bohaai festival (literally "Mountain Mania" translated from Afrikaans). The race has been described as the "toughest marathon in the world" by Wally Hayward. It originated in 1922 when a British soldier, Major A E Belcher, returned to Harrismith where he had been stationed near 42nd Hill during the Second Boer War. He referred to Platberg as "that small hill of yours", and one of the locals immediately bet him that he could not reach the top in less than 60 minutes. He accepted the challenge and covered the distance within the allocated time - he still had eight minutes to spare. Afterwards Major Belcher presented a floating trophy as a prize awarded to the first athlete to reach the top of the mountain (the record time today is 22 minutes and 9 seconds). The 15 kilometre race starts from the town's sports grounds, and the route is up the slopes of Platberg passing through the terrain where the concentration camp once stood. The top is reached via One Man's Pass, close to which a fort, built during the Second Boer War, is to be seen. After traversing a short distance along the top, the descent is made via Zig-Zag Pass, and the race is completed at the sports grounds. Harrismith Golf Course - The 18-hole golf course, arguably the third oldest in South Africa (after the Royal Cape and George Golf Clubs) was founded in 1887. Dirty Harry - The Dirty Harry is a mountain bike race that forms part of the South African National Mountain Bike Series. The Dirty Harry forms part of the wonderful Berg Bohaai festival. This festival is anchored by Major Belcher's run up the mountain in 1922 and is held annually in early October. Sterkfontein Dam with Platberg in the distance Kerkenberg - The Voortrekkers camped in the area, whilst their leader, Piet Retief, negotiated with the Zulu leader Dingane. After receiving reports of what the Voortrekkers interpreted as successful negotiations, Retief's daughter wrote his name and recorded the date, which was also his birthday, on the rock where they held a church service. Sterkfontein Dam - the third largest dam in South Africa. Practically all the water is pumped up the escarpment from KwaZulu-Natal. Built before the Lesotho Highlands Water Project was developed, this was a vital source of water for Gauteng. Ideal for water sport enthusiasts and anglers. Bushmen Paintings - Around 5 kilometers out of town in one of local caves well preserved Bushmen paintings can still be found. Neo Paintings - Around 5 km from town, this Sotho King painted in caves close to the Sterkfontein dam.

How to get to AMADUDU GUEST HOUSE No.1 Bosbok Avenue, Harrismith, Tel: 058 622 1335, Cell: 083 991 7717 The GPS co-ordinates are: 28�16'36.76"S - 29� 8'34.07"E From Bethlehem: • On the N5 from Bloemfontein / Bethlehem you will drive into Harrismith. • Proceed straight at the big 4-way stop (Wilge Park will be to your right). • When you approach the traffic light, turn left into McKechnie Avenue. Follow from point 2 below. From Johannesburg: • On the N3 from Johannesburg, take the second Harrismith off-ramp - Bethlehem, Phuthaditjhaba, N5. Proceed right at the end of the off-ramp from Johannesburg. • At the traffic light (Spur is on your left, turn right into King Avenue. Follow from point 2 below. From Durban: • On the N3 from Durban, take the first Harrismith off-ramp - Bethlehem, Phuthaditjhaba, N5. • Proceed straight at the end of the off-ramp from Johannesburg. • At the traffic light (Spur is on your left), turn right into King Avenue. Follow from point 2 below. Once you are in Harrismith: • After you have turned into McKechnie Avenue, turn immediately right into King Avenue. • Look out for our Amadudu Guest House signs. • Proceed straight down in King Avenue (straight on at 2 stop streets in King Avenue) until the road turns sharply to the left. • After the road has turned to the left, make a hairpin turn to the right (towards the mountain). • Go underneath the bridge and turn first left in Blesbok Avenue. • The guesthouse is the first house on right, on corner of Blesbok and Bosbok Avenues. You have arrived! Welcome!!