Mpumalanga Heritage is running a massive project to replace old plaques and install new ones along the wagon routes that stretched across the Lowveld to Delagoa Bay (click here to read a recent article in the Barberton Times). Many South Africans are familiar with these routes as they were made famous by Sir Percy FitzPatrick's classic novel Jock of the Bushveld. The current project appears to be the third major effort to mark these routes. The first was established in 1950 and the second followed in the 1980s and 1990s. The article below was compiled by Brian Simmons who was one of the key personalities behind the second effort. His passion verging on obsession shoud provide ample inspiration for the current generation of researchers. The article appeared in the Johannesburg Historical Foundation's journal Between the Chains in 1996/7.
Many of the old plaques have been stolen (Mpumalanga Heritage)
I first became conscious of Jock of the Bushveld when I was about five years old growing up in the village of Sabie. My father used to treat me to after-dinner readings of the famous book sitting in his favourite armchair with me on his knee. He was usually able to answer my questions concerning Jock's exploits, but when these referred to specific places he was at a loss! Where...
