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Harrismith
Afrikaans name: Harrismith
Harrismith Town Hall
Photo © Steven Herbert
Free State
Harrismith is a town in the Free State that is situated on the junction of the N3 highway that links Durban with Johannesburg and the N5 highway that takes you to Bloemfontein via Bethlehem.
The town was founded in 1849 and the name is derived from British Governor Harry Smith.
Bordering the town is the imposing Platberg mountain which dominates the area. Part of the Platberg is a nature reserve offering hiking trails. Platberg, by the way, means flat mountain. Each year the Platberg Mountain Race is held in this area. The 15 km route gets participants scrambling their way up the mountain, along the flattish top and then down the other side.
The main building in Harrismith is the Town Hall. Sterkfontein Dam is situated near Harrismith.
Platberg mountain
Photo © Steven Herbert
A monument to the soldiers from the Harrismith who died in the First World War stands next to the town hall.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 338Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 305
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 106