Arriving at Vryburg in South Africa on 25th June from Gabarone in Botswana

Rallye mail

The rally route left Gabarone going south following the railway line via Ramotswa along the border with South Africa, crossing at Ramatlabama Border Post to Mmabatho then Mafikeng, continuing south-west to Vryburg, which is in the North West Province of South Africa.

South Africa

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War of 1899 to 1902. The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

Vryburg

Upon the establishment of the Republic of Stellaland in 1882, the town of Vryburg was proclaimed as its capital and it grew rapidly.

Today Vryburg is the agricultural and industrial centre of the Western Region (of the North West Province of South Africa). The town hosts the country's third largest agricultural show and a series of events dedicated to outdoor activities in the scenic area surrounding the town. The weekly cattle sale is the largest cattle sale in the Southern Hemisphere - every year a quarter of a million head change hands.

The Voortrekker Monument was erected in 1935 in commemoration of the Great Trek and the Vryburg Museum contains a series of interesting exhibits. The area offers some of the province's finest walks and trails, the most notable are the Leon Taljaard and Vryburg walks. The Leon Taljaard Nature Reserve is 5km from the town.

The rally stays for two days, leaving for the mining town of Kimberley early on 28th June.