Exciting news for Ermelo residents as the history of our town has been featured on Origins 22 – Genealogy & History. The platform publishes well-researched South African history focused on heritage sites, town features, and genealogy-related content.
Image: View of Ermelo, Transvaal. From the North. Published by W. Herald & Co., Ermelo.
In a recent post titled “The Story of Ermelo”, the page outlines the town’s origins and historical development. Ermelo was established in 1880 on the farm Nooitgedacht. The town developed around a Dutch Reformed Church congregation founded in 1870 by Reverend Frans Lion Cachet, which was officially recognised in 1872. Cachet named the town Ermelo after his loyal friend from a town named Ermelo in the Netherlands.
Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by the Leghoya people, whose stone ruins date back to around the 15th century. During the mid-1800s, the region served as an outspan for transport animals, with small lakes providing water for ox-wagon teams travelling across the area.
Image: The only building left standing in Ermelo after British forces destroyed most of the town during the Anglo-Boer War in 1901.
Ermelo was significantly affected during the Second Boer War. In 1901, British forces entered the town and destroyed most buildings, leaving only one standing. Many Boer families fled, and after the war ended in 1902, the town was gradually rebuilt, with infrastructure and homes restored by 1903. Its location along key transport routes contributed to its strategic importance during the conflict.
The post also reflects on the history of Nyibe, a settlement south of the town centre that was forcibly removed during the 1960s under apartheid after the area was reclassified as whites-only under the Group Areas Act. Thousands of residents were displaced and the settlement demolished. In recent years, descendants of Nyibe residents have returned through successful land claims.
Ermelo’s historical significance extends beyond its founding, with landmarks such as the Msukaligwa Cenotaph and its proximity to heritage sites including the Bakoni stone circles near Machadodorp and the Sudwala Caves, known for ancient Bushman rock art.
Image: The Msukaligwa Cenotaph in Ermelo, commemorating local anti-apartheid activists and community members who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.
The feature on Origins 22 highlights the depth and complexity of Ermelo’s past — from early indigenous settlement and wartime destruction to forced removals and ongoing restoration of heritage and land rights.
This feature serves as a reminder of why preserving and sharing local history matters. Stories like Ermelo’s help communities better understand where they come from, acknowledge past injustices, and ensure that future generations remain connected to their heritage.
At iNews, we remain committed to telling stories that matter — stories that inform, reflect, and preserve the history of the communities we serve.