Melmoth - the first ten years (1888-1898)

Abstract

Established in 1888 with the main function of providing for the needs of the surrounding Boer farmers, the town Melmoth in Zululand also hoped to develop into a centre for gold mining in that region. This ideal did not however materialize, and in its early years Melmoth had to contend with the establishment of a nearby rival town (Osborn), the 1888 Zulu disturbances, and natural calamities such as drought, locusts, famine and stock diseases. By the end of its first ten years, although small, Melmoth was the centre of the Mthonjaneni district and provided the community with essential services.