Did You Know?
The Boere laer at Bloedrivier (Blood River) in KwaZulu-Natal is the site of the Battle of Blood River, fought on 16 December 1838 between Voortrekkers (Boer pioneers) and the Zulu Kingdom. The laer (lager) was a defensive formation of ox-wagons, used by the Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius. The battle resulted in a decisive Voortrekker victory, with an estimated 3,000 Zulu warriors killed, while only three Voortrekkers were wounded. The site is marked by a bronze ox-wagon monument and a replica laer, and is a significant heritage site commemorating the Day of the Vow (now the Day of Reconciliation). The river was named Bloedrivier (Blood River) due to the water reportedly turning red from the bloodshed.
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