Utrecht, South Africa - Definition and Overview

Utrecht, is a small town situated in the foothills of the Balele Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Coal mining and cattle ranching are the predominant economic activities of the citizens of Utrecht.

In 1852 Voortrekker settlers traded 100 head of cattle with the Zulu king Mpande for grazing rights in Zululand, however, the settlers claimed the land as their own and formed the Republic of Utrecht in 1854. The 32 km by 64 km republic was named after Utrecht in the Netherlands and the capital was also called Utrecht. The republic was later incorporated into the Republic of Lydenburg until it was returned to Natal in 1860.

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