Situated in the scenic landscapes of Mpumalanga, Delmas carries with it a profound historical tapestry as intriguing as the town's ambiance. The evolution of Delmas is a tale of foresight, opportunity, and the enduring spirit of its early settlers.
The story of Delmas began with the farm named "Witklip," Afrikaans for "White Stone," which can trace its origins back to 1907. This piece of land was owned by Frank Campbell Dumat, a Frenchman whose vision for Witklip was grander than just a farmstead. Drawing inspiration from his grandfather's farm in France, Dumat named the town “de le mas”, translating to “the small farm” in English. Over time, this evolved to its present name, Delmas.
Frank Dumat was not the first owner of Witklip. Frederich Wilhelm Schmidt, an acting field cornet who owned extensive land elsewhere, had received Witklip, sometimes referred to as "Witkrans", from the Z.A.R. People's Council. Due to interests far north in the North-Transvaal, Schmidt sold the farm in 1868 to Hendrik Grobler for R 150. By 1895, Grobler had sold it to Frank Dumat.
A significant turn of events in the late 19th century positioned Delmas as a crucial node in the region's development. Authorities had decided to lay a railway line to transport coal from Witbank to the Rand. Fortuitously for Dumat, this new railway passed right over Witklip. This spurred him to design a town with residential stands and surrounding agricultural holdings, benefiting from the abundant water and fertile soil.
Interestingly, the Railways Administration initially proposed the station name "Erasmus." However, Dumat, staying true to his French roots, suggested the name "del Mas." After persuading the administration, the name was adopted but modified to its present form: "Delmas."
In February 1907, Dumat formally applied to the Town Council to proclaim a town on Witklip. This vision materialized on 28th August 1907 when the plans for Delmas were officially approved by the Executive Committee. By 31st March 1909, The African Gold Recovery Co., Ltd., a powerful company of the time, acquired the interests of Frank Dumat, heralding a new era in Delmas's development.
By 1909, the government had expanded the town's territory by adding a substantial 5,500 ha. From the initial layout by Dumat of 192 residential plots, 484 ha small holdings, and 138 ha of commonage, the town expanded to include 85 small holdings of around 64 ha each.
Having been governed by a town council since 1965, Delmas has flourished and grown, continually building upon the foundations laid by its early settlers. Its origin from a modest farm to a bustling town stands as a testament to the visionaries like Frank Campbell Dumat who saw potential in a piece of land and transformed it into a thriving community.