Place names in Kruger - origin and meaning

[MATTHYS]

Also interested in the name belonging to the Muzandzeni picnic spot situated between Orpen and Satara. At this picnic spot there are skulls of buck hanging from the trees and under one of them there is an old black sign I think with a name and date on it. Anyone familiar with this? Would be cool to know what the sign is all about.

Another interesting topic here , TreeQueen

Bush Andy wrote :

Muzandzeni


This picnic spot is well known for its large tree's and is situated on the Northern banks of the Sweni river. Muzandzeni meaning 'at the tsessebe' was first named in 1958 by Ranger J kloppers on account of a small herd of tsessebe in the area. Incidentally Ranger Kloppers was surveying a firebreak at the time which later became the S36 we know today.

[normana53]

My understanding is that Mooiplaas means beautiful farm. If that is so, was there a farm in the area at one time? and if so whom did it belong to?

[gmlsmit]

The word Mooiplaas indeed means beautiful place.

In this instance it rather means 'a beautiful place' which it really is.

Beautiful place = mooi plek which does not sound as well as mooi plaas.

In old Dutch plaas also meant plek.

[Nkulu]

Does anyone know the meaning of Nhkulu ?

[Nkulu]

Duke Ellieton Meaning of Nkuhlu is natal mahogany. A Tsonga word.

Thank you

[Flyingsailor]

Hi Mites!

I proposed to my now wife at Nkumbe last year ... Anyone know the meaning of Nkumbe!?

I hope it doesn't mean place of doom or something!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Flyingsailor

[Duke Ellieton]

Nkumbe is a Tsonga clan name. Nkumbe is named after someone who lived there in days gone by

[Flyingsailor]

Thanks Duke ... Must have been a nice place to live!

[saraf]

Duke, do you know if any archaeological digs have been done up there? That vista would have been ideal for a defend-able settlement

[Duke Ellieton]

saraf

Not aware of any archaelogical digs in that area saraf but can see why the Nkumbe clan would choose that site for a settlement.

[saraf]

Duke

If it was in the UK I would have been searching for Iron Age hill fort remains. And there are precedents in SA - Thulamela and Mapungubwe to name but two.

I wonder what's there...