Adam Kok III, the leader of the Griqua people, moved from Phillipolis to the unknown territory of Nomansland seeking greener pastures. Nomansland was surrounded by Different African tribes that caused many misfortunes for the Griqua people. Donald Strachan who had been living on the Mzimkulu River, was a man with deep roots in the country. More than anyone, he embodied the ambiguity of status which surrounds racial distinction in South Africa. Grandson of a Scottish immigrant, he was genetically ‘white’ and was accepted as such. During the late 1860’s and early 1870’s he became an integral part of Griqua politics as an exceptional linguist.
Donald Strachan spoke all the Bantu dialect in the area flawlessly and was accepted as the leader of a ‘regiment’ of African tribesmen. This made Donald irreplaceable in the establishment of a peace treaty in Nomansland between all the neighboring tribes.Out of gratitude, Adam Kok III gifted Donald Strachan a peace of his own land. This farm would be named Kilrush.
Donald Strachan who was a trader by nature, decided to start a post office on the farm, this would be one of the first post offices within Southern Natal. The post office became part of the postal route stretching between Richmond and McClear, in the Eastern Cape.
In the mid 1870’s Donald Strachan sold the farm to a man named Bull Hayward. Bull Hayward had big ambitions for Kilrush. He built a Hotel that boasted with facilities such as a tennis court, croquet court, post office and a library. Further Bull Hayward planted fruit orchards for his illegal distilling of local mampoer. This made the Hotel the prime destination for people from the district to collect their post while staying at the hotel and enjoying some of the delicious illegally distilled mampoer. The hotel became a big attraction for everyone in the district.
After many rebellions and uprisings from the Griquas and the local tribes as their aspirations were disappearing under the British rule, the Cape mountain rifle unit built barracks on the farm, and reinforced the post office and the Hotel. The mountain directly behind the Hotel, commonly referred to as “ swart berg” became central in the communication between the cape mountain rifle spies and the surrounding farmers allied to the British. They used mirrors to communicate with the nearby farmers using a type of signalling\Morse code to inform the districts people when important post arrived or if a Rebellion was on the horizon
After the necessity of the Cape mountain rifle unit subdued, the Hotel no longer operational, the farm stayed within the Hayward family for two more generations. In the 1970’s, Kilrush was sold to David du Plessis.
After going on a multi-day family horse ride and staying at the ruins of the Hotel, Katie du Plessis (David’s Daughter) had a vision to restore the hotel to its former glory and to revive its rich history.
This is where we welcome you to the Hotel, Experience 1880.