Welcome to Ladysmith in the Zulu Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

The monuments and memorials of the town of Ladysmith.

zoom All Saints Anglican Church, Ladysmith. This church is famous for the beautiful tablets in its transept, which bear the names of more than 3000 British soldiers who gave their lives in the Siege or Relief of Ladysmith.

All Saints Anglican Church

Built in 1902 from cut flagstones quarried in the area, it is renowned for the beautiful tablets in the transept, which bear the names of more than 3000 British soldiers who gave their lives in the Siege or the Relief of Ladysmith. Many priceless stained glass windows, including two depicting War and Peace. Open 08h30 - 12h00. Afternoons by prior arrangement. Tel: (036) 637-4960.

Castor and Pollux

These twin 6.3 Howitzers, sent hastily from Port Elizabeth just prior to the investment of Ladysmith, served the town with distinction, to the extent that they engaged and damaged one of the Boer Long Toms of the Middle Hill. Not used again after the relief of the town, today they stand proudly in from of the Town Hall. Tel: (036) 637-2992.

zoom The Soofi Mosque, Ladysmith , is one of the most beautiful mosques in the southern hemisphere. It is a national monument.

Soofie Mosque

A national monument. The Mosque obeys the decrees of Muslim canon law as it stands on the site of the original Mosque, built by the saint Hazrah Soofi Saheb. Completed in 1969. Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful Mosques in the southern hemisphere. Open 13h00-14h00 and 17h00- 21h00. Tel: (036) 633-1753.

zoom Statue of Ghandi, Lord Vishnu Temple, Ladysmith.

Statue of Ghandi

Mohandas Ghandi was a stretcher bearer with General Buller's relief forces after the Siege of Ladysmith and trained some of the 1100 Indians in this dangerous task. It said that they left on the last train out of Ladysmith before the siege. Ghandi and his stretcher bearers are reported to have performed sterling work during the bloody Battle of Spioenkop. In 1993 the Hindu community in Ladysmith paid tribute to the Mahatma by celebrating the centenary of his coming to Natal. Arrange with the caretaker who will open the gates. Tel: (036)637 7777

Burgher Memorial on Wagon Hill/Platrand

This inspiring and sculpturesque monument was erected during 1979 in honour of 781 Boers and members of the allied forces who were killed in Natal during the Anglo- Boer War from 1899 to 1902.
Re-interred in a giant grave, are the remains of 310 of these brave fighters. Two architects from Pretoria, Samuel Pauw and Peter Semra??d, designed the monument. The monument consists of seven stylized ??hands?? reaching out from underground and pointing to the different battles that took place around Ladysmith, viz. Talana, Elandslaagte, Nicholsen??s Nek, Colenso, Spioenkop, Vaalkrans, Pieters and Platrand/Wagon Hill. The hands symbolise fear, grief, courage, strength, undauntedness and suffering. The names of the casualties are listed on the wrist or palm of each of the hands belonging to a relevant battle site. Some of the original gravestones have been set in the wall partially surrounding the monument.
The message of the monument is one of reconciliation. An acclaimed South African poet, Ernst van Heerden, wrote a poem, which was inscribed in the memorial plaque. Roughly translated it means that the blood spilled on the ground made the earth fertile to bring forth freedom from oppression (from British rule).
Today the monument is just as relevant in the new South Africa as a monument to freedom from all oppression. This surreal monument on the quiet hill with the blue sky and white clouds above the historic panorama of battle sites is a stark reminder of the hollowness of war.


Other monuments/sites on the hill include the British Military cemetery, Devonshire Monument, a monument to Lord Ava, Imperial Light Horse Monument, Manchester Monument, Manchester Fort, gun emplacements and many other gravesites, fortifications and memorials.


The battle site is open to visitors daily from 07:00 to 17:00. An entrance fee of R6,00 per person is payable at the gate. Touring busses can apply for a discount to the Ladysmith Tourism

For more information on the above attractions contact Ladysmith Tourism.

Freedom Monument

On 24 October 1999 the Freedom Monument was inaugurated by the then Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma. Visitors are invited to place a stone on the monument in memory of fallen heroes. The corners of the triangular monument represent our nation??s diverse cultures. Unity is symbolised by a circle and a central pillar points skywards as a symbol of hope. Chains anchored in each corner serve as reminders of the past.

Copyright © Tourism KwaZulu-Natal