| Vryheid | |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -27.7669°N 30.8°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Zululand |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | Abaqulusi |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1884[1] |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [2] |
| Area Total Km2: | 48.71 |
| Population Total: | 47365 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 84.5% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 1.7% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 1.3% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 12.1% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.3% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Zulu |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 79.8% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 10.2% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | English |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 6.2% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 3.7% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 3100 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 3100 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 034 |
Vryheid (Zulu: eFilidi/iFilidiAbaqulusi) is a coal mining and cattle ranching town in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Vryheid is the Afrikaans word for "freedom", while its original name of Abaqulusi reflects the abaQulusi clan based in the local area.[3]
After Boer farmers, who lived in the Vryheid area, had helped King Dinuzulu defeat his rival chief Zibhebhu for succession of the Zulu throne, land that they occupied was given to them by cession from the Zulu king along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the Boers formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its capital and its sovereignty was recognized by Germany and Portugal colonizers. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic, but at the end of the Second Boer War the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into the Natal colony by the British. Vryheid is located along the Transnet Coalline.
In 2007, Inkamana High School and Vryheid Comprehensive Secondary School were amongst several schools recognised as "historic schools". Funding of six million rand a year was earmarked for these two and Adams College, Ohlange High School and Inanda Seminary to make them academies focussing on Maths, Science and Technology.[4]
Other schools are Hoërskool Vryheid, which uses both Afrikaans and English as the medium of instruction and Hoërskool Pionier which uses Afrikaans as medium of instruction.
Kilian Academy, a martial arts academy instructing in the arts of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Kickboxing, is situated in Vryheid.
Vryheid Wrestling Academy is one of the top wrestling clubs in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The Hanami Gi-Challenge (commonly known as The Challenge) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournament in Africa. The Hanami Gi-Challenges are hosted annually by the Hanami Martial Arts, with the first Challenge hosted in 2014 at the Indoor Speedball Club Vryheid in South Africa. In 2015, it will be held once again in Vryheid, South Africa.
The Inkamana Abbey, a Roman Catholic Benedictine abbey, is located in the town.
The Dutch Reform Church in Vryheid, better known as Die Moeder Gemeente (Afrikaans for the Mother Congregation), has been added to the list of 12 Gorgeous Churches and Cathedrals in Africa, by AFK Insider.[5]
The town experienced water shortages from 2016 to 2017 due to neglect of infrastructure. Pumps and pipelines were allowed to fall into a state of disrepair, forcing many town's residents to collect water from 15 communal water tanks provided by the municipality.[6] In its aftermath the Bhekuzulu clinic received 550 cases of diarrhea a month. Other residents invested at great personal cost in boreholes, water tanks, pumps, filters and power generators. Three sewage treatment plants also stopped functioning, polluting the Besterspruit and Klipfontein Dam.[6] Another outbreak of diarrhea occurred in 2019, with 535 people admitted to either Bhekuzulu or Mason Clinics.[7]