Ermelo, Mpumalanga

Province

Ermelo is a town in the municipality Msukaligwa, Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. It lies on the upper reaches of the Vaal River at the intersection of the National Road N2, N11 and N17. 2011 Ermelo had 83 865 inhabitants.

The town developed around a church, which was built in 1871 by Reverend Frans Lion Cachet. He named the place after the hometown of his friend, the town of Ermelo in the Netherlands. Because of the numerous small lakes and rivers in the region, the place was already in use before its official establishment as a resting place for sidecars between Lydenburg and Natal. The area was known for its horse and cattle breeders, and the first agricultural exhibition was held in 1889.

Ermelo was completely destroyed during the Second Boer War and rebuilt on the same site. Today Ermelo is a center for beef and sheep farming and the cultivation of sunflower, corn and potatoes.

Near the town of San rock paintings have been found and stone cottages dating from the 14th century. They were built by the Leghoya, a Batswanastamm.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Lucky Dube (1964-2007), reggae singer, guitarist and songwriter
• Jennifer Ferguson (c. 1960), singer-songwriter, pianist and peace activist