Nestled in the eastern region of South Africa lies the city of Nelspruit, a significant part of the province's history. Currently known as Mbombela, the city holds tales of sheep herding brothers, gold expeditions, colonial-era railways, and the grim reality of apartheid.
The Founding Brothers. The origins of the city's name trace back to the three Nel Brothers - Gert, Louis, and Andries. Venturing down to the Lowveld during the winter months between 1883 and 1896, they grazed their sheep and cattle on the slopes of the Crocodile River mountains. During an encounter with railway engineers in 1884, the Nel brothers dispelled myths about the tsetse fly in the area, a significant factor in determining the railway's trajectory.
Subsequently, the engineers named the stream where they met the brothers as Nel’s Spruit. This meeting was pivotal, as it led to a proposal for the railway to be directed towards Nel's Spruit instead of the foot of the Drakensberg. Upon the government's endorsement of this proposal in August 1884, the name "Nelspruit" was officially cemented.
A Stint in Politics and Trade. Nelspruit’s significance was further elevated during the Boer War when it briefly held the mantle as the South African Republic's seat of government. The Eastern Railway, spearheaded by the Netherlands-South African Railway Company in the late 19th century, further positioned Nelspruit as a key transit point. Connecting the goldfields of Witwatersrand to Delagoa Bay (present-day Maputo in Mozambique), this railway bolstered economic activities, especially after the discovery of gold in areas like Pilgrim's Rest and Barberton.
Segregation and the Scars of Apartheid. The city’s growth, however, was marred by the divisive policies of apartheid. Black inhabitants were forced out of Nelspruit, being relegated to places like Lekazi and Kanyamazane. These regions effectively became labor reservoirs, stripping people of their rights and relegating them to the fringes. As apartheid's grip tightened, areas like Nelpark and Valencia emerged, representing segregated areas for the Coloured and Indian communities, respectively. Key amenities, including schools like Nelspruit Laerskool, were exclusively preserved for the white populace.
Rebirth as Mbombela. In a bid to shed its colonial past and embrace the cultural mosaic of the nation, the South African government rechristened Nelspruit as "Mbombela" in October 2009. The name, which translates to "many people together in a small space" in Siswati, aptly symbolizes the unity and diversity that South Africa aspires for.
Today, as the provincial capital of Mpumalanga, Mbombela stands not only as a testament to the region's rich history but also as a beacon of hope for a unified future.
From its humble beginnings with the Nel brothers to its present status, the city tells a story of resilience, endurance, and transformation - making it an integral chapter in South Africa’s extensive narrative.