Mooiriver, KwaZulu-Natal
Encyclopedia
Mooi River is a small town situated at 1,389m above sea level and 160 km from the coast in KwaZulu-Natal
, South Africa
. The first European settlement in the area was at Mooi River Drift in 1852. This was formally named Weston in 1866 after the first Governor of Natal, Martin West. In 1879, an Irishman named Alexander Lawrence purchased the farm "Grantleigh" upstream from Weston, on the banks of the Mooi River. "Mooirivier" is Afrikaans
for "beautiful river". In 1884, the railway line from Durban, on the coast, to Johannesburg, in the interior, reached the area and was built across Alexander Lawrence's land. He subsequently laid out and establish the village of Lawrenceville on his farm "Grantleigh" and so is known as "The Father of Mooi River". In 1921, the village was renamed Mooi River when it was declared a town. It lies on the principal road N3
and rail routes between Johannesburg
and Durban
. Although the railway-station is no longer used for passengers, goods are still carried. There is a toll plaza
located at Mooi River.
There are five schools found in Mooi River with others far from the town . The first is Treverton Preparatory School and College
, a private school of about 600 students. In the hills of the small game park within Treverton there lie some trenches used in the Boer wars. From these the Boers observed English movements at Weston - their remount depot. The second school is obviously Weston, a public agricultural school with a very good reputation. There is great rugby rivalry between these two schools. Next is Mooi River Primary on the outskirts of the town - a popular location for local club rugby matches. Bruntville Primary and Emnyezaneni Secondary school, are both in the township of Bruntville just over the N3.
Models Candice
and Landi Swanepoel
(of no relation) were born in Mooi River.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The first European settlement in the area was at Mooi River Drift in 1852. This was formally named Weston in 1866 after the first Governor of Natal, Martin West. In 1879, an Irishman named Alexander Lawrence purchased the farm "Grantleigh" upstream from Weston, on the banks of the Mooi River. "Mooirivier" is Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
for "beautiful river". In 1884, the railway line from Durban, on the coast, to Johannesburg, in the interior, reached the area and was built across Alexander Lawrence's land. He subsequently laid out and establish the village of Lawrenceville on his farm "Grantleigh" and so is known as "The Father of Mooi River". In 1921, the village was renamed Mooi River when it was declared a town. It lies on the principal road N3
N3 (South Africa)
The N3 is a National Route in South Africa, connecting Johannesburg and Durban, respectively South Africa's largest and third-largest cities. Johannesburg is the financial and commercial heartland of South Africa, while Durban is South Africa's key port and one of the busiest ports in the Southern...
and rail routes between Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. Although the railway-station is no longer used for passengers, goods are still carried. There is a toll plaza
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
located at Mooi River.
There are five schools found in Mooi River with others far from the town . The first is Treverton Preparatory School and College
Treverton Preparatory School and College
Treverton Preparatory School and College, situated in Mooi River, South Africa, cater for boys and girls of all faiths from Grades 000 to 12 and Post-Matric...
, a private school of about 600 students. In the hills of the small game park within Treverton there lie some trenches used in the Boer wars. From these the Boers observed English movements at Weston - their remount depot. The second school is obviously Weston, a public agricultural school with a very good reputation. There is great rugby rivalry between these two schools. Next is Mooi River Primary on the outskirts of the town - a popular location for local club rugby matches. Bruntville Primary and Emnyezaneni Secondary school, are both in the township of Bruntville just over the N3.
Models Candice
Candice Swanepoel
Candice Swanepoel is a South African model best known for her work with Victoria's Secret.-Early life & career :Candice Swanepoel was born in Mooi River, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, and was spotted by a model scout in a Durban flea market at age 15. By age 16, Swanepoel was earning €5,000 or R40,000...
and Landi Swanepoel
Landi Swanepoel
Landi Swanepoel is a South African model.She is known for her campaigns for Guess?, but her highest accolade was her selection as the "Sylvia" character in Peroni's Nastro Azzurro beer commercial that pays homage to Federico Fellini's La dolce vita. The role was originally played by Anita Ekberg...
(of no relation) were born in Mooi River.