Tucked away in the heart of Mpumalanga lies a small town with a rich tapestry of history, Machadodorp, or as it is now known, eNtokozweni, which translates to 'Place of Happiness'.
The origins of the town can be traced back to a sheep farm named Geluk, which means 'luck' or 'happiness' in Dutch. The settlement, initially named after this farm, grew around a station. In 1894, the town was renamed in honour of Major Joachim Machado, a Portuguese engineer. Machado played a pivotal role in surveying the land for the proposed railway line that would connect Nelspruit and Delagoa Bay through the Crocodile River gorge.
This railway connection between Pretoria, the capital of the ZAR (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek), and the Mozambique border was a significant driving force for the town's growth. The town and the station were christened "Machadodorp", highlighting the deep connection between the town's development and the railway line.
A unique twist in Machadodorp's history is its brief tenure as the capital. During the Second Boer War, with British forces approaching Pretoria, the Transvaal Volksraad relocated their seat to Machadodorp. This shift saw railway carriages converted into makeshift offices and mints. However, this was short-lived. By late August 1900, British troops occupied the town, with Lord Roberts proclaiming the Transvaal as a part of the British Empire soon after.
Machadodorp also found an unexpected niche in Mpumalanga's trout tourism industry, thanks to a quick-thinking station master. To save a consignment of dying trout, he released the fish into the Elands River, inadvertently laying the foundation for a flourishing industry in the area. Sadly, as passenger trains in South Africa saw their decline, the once-beautiful station shut its doors in 2001, leaving only ruins as a testament to its past glory.
In 2010, the town underwent a name change from Machadodorp to eNtokozweni. However, many still fondly refer to it by its original name, reflecting its storied history and the deep roots it has in the community's hearts.
Historical evidence suggests that the area around Machadodorp was once home to the San (Bushmen). The extensive stone walls spread across a vast area indicate that Iron Age people, particularly the Bokoni, settled here. The Pedi, who followed the Bokoni, and the Swazi, also once occupied the land. By the time the Potgieter family received the "Geluk 29" farm, the Highveld wasn't yet a popular settlement due to the cold winters. Only with time did farmers, including early sheep farmers like the Venter brothers, start settling.
Joaquim José Machado's contributions to the region cannot be overstated. Born in Lagos, Portugal, in 1847, Machado had a keen interest in military matters. Having completed his training as an engineer officer, he was promoted to captain and then major. Tasked by the Portuguese government to focus on Mozambique's development, Machado was the first skilled engineer to provide a detailed survey of the train route between Delagoa Bay and Pretoria. His meticulous planning replaced earlier vague plans and cemented the proposed track alongside the Crocodile River.
In conclusion, Machadodorp, or eNtokozweni, is a town that has seen the ebb and flow of history, from ancient settlers to modern developments. It stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its inhabitants, and its stories are a rich vein of South African history waiting to be explored.