Bushman Paintings

Bushmen left the foothills of the central Kwa-Zulu Natal Drakensberg, in 1879, the year of Moorosi’s defeat.  This is according to the memoirs of Father Filter who, for many years was a transport rider between Natal and the then Eastern Transvaal. He even transported  the bushmen on ox-wagons at times. They eventually reached Chrissiesmeer.

It appears that their choice of destination was based on long-standing trade relations with Bushmen already resident in the area. The parched, toothless maws of rocky overhangs gape towards the glassy surfaces of small lakes, providing natural habitats and safe havens for these incorrigible wanderers. Even the pans themselves provided shelter by concealing Bushmen from marauding Swazi impis and Boer commandos, Tradition has it, that they remained  submerged for hours at a time breathing through reed pipes.

There are still a few individual Bushmen  living in this area, but none at Florence. The last remnants of the great painters of the Drakensberg also left their beautiful paintings on one of Florence Guest Farm’s overhanging areas. Enjoy them and only leave your footprints behind.