Ficksburg travel guide

Named after Commandant-General Johan Fick, a hero of the Basotho wars, the town was founded in 1867 to occupy what was known as the Conquered Territory after the Basotho war. Its role was to prevent cattle rustlers coming over from Lesotho and to strengthen general control over the area. Interestingly, cattle rustling still occasionally occurs in this region. A cherry festival, is held here during the third week of November each year, when you can indulge in cherry liqueur, maraschino, schnapps, and brandied cherries in syrup. These days the small town has important trade links with Lesotho, but otherwise it is only worth visiting for basic supplies and for the tourist office 96 McCabe St, T051-933 2130, http://www.ficksburg.org.za, Mon-Fri 0900-1200, 1300-1500, which has an exhibition on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project . A small museum Mon-Fri 1000-1200, 1400-1600, commemorates the (not very interesting) life of General Fick.

Rustler’s Valley was a popular destination to the north of Ficksburg in the foothills of the Witteberge Mountains, which had become famous as one of South Africa’s premier festival sites. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the lodge and the whole valley in September 2007. It remains to be seen if the site will be resurrected in the future.