Nestled in the picturesque grass and wetlands region of Mpumalanga, the town of Carolina stands proudly at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level. Today, it's a community with a diverse economic background, drawing sustenance from mixed farming and engaging in small-scale coal and precious-stone mining.
The origins of Carolina can be traced back to the exhilarating times of the gold rush. When gold was found in Barberton in 1883, Cornelius Johannes Coetzee saw an opportunity. He envisioned Carolina as a rest stop for wagons, and in a beautiful tribute to his wife, Magdalena Carolina Smit, he named the town after her. The official proclamation of Carolina came on 15 June 1886, after being structured on parts of the farms Groenvlei and Goedehoop. The town's establishment was timely, with the first stands being sold in the same year as the gold discovery.
However, Carolina faced tumultuous times during the Second Boer War. In 1900, the town was completely razed, with a singular architectural remnant - the NGK Church. This church, with its cornerstone laid by Commandant General Piet Joubert in October 1888, became a testament to the town's resilience. During the war, the British troops commandeered this sacred place, turning it into a stable for their horses.
Yet, Carolina was destined to rise from its ashes. The town underwent a rebuilding process after the war. Today, visitors can witness a few exquisite pieces of sandstone architecture among the town's public buildings. One of the notable structures is the sandstone Grobler Bridge that spans the Komati River. Opened for traffic in 1897, this bridge was named in honor of Johannes Lodewikus Grobler.
Another landmark development for Carolina was the completion of the Ermelo-Carolina-Machadodorp railway line in 1907 by the Ermelo Railway Company. This not only accelerated the town's growth but also strategically placed it on the trade route with Swaziland, known today as Eswatini. This trade route amplified Carolina's importance in the region.
The natural splendor of Carolina is epitomized by the Komati River and the breathtaking Komati Gorge that lie in its vicinity. The river, with its meandering course and the gorge, adds to the town's scenic charm.
In its entirety, Carolina's story is one of tenacity and rebirth. From its establishment during the gold rush, its unfortunate destruction in the war, to its subsequent rebuilding, Carolina stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people. The focal point remains the historic NGK Church, a silent witness to the town's tumultuous past and its unwavering resilience.