Ficksburg

Ficksburg is situated in the Free State province of South Africa, on the border with Lesotho.

Travelling to Ficksburg

The next leg of my journey took me on an unexpected bus trip to the Free State to do research on my family history. My destination, a place called Ficksburg was named after General JIJ Fick whom I am a direct descendant of. The bus journey took 5 hours. I decided to sit on the upper deck right at the front of the vehicle which gave me a birds eye view of the incredibly beautiful scenery. My camera clicked away non stop. Suddenly the bus came to a stand still on a steep incline next to a large cliff and a steep drop into a valley on the other. There was a huge traffic jam due to a large truck having rolled and slammed into the side of the mountain and tipped over onto its side. We waited patiently as the traffic slowly started to clear but as the bus tried to take off it could not get traction due to the oil slick. An aftermath of the accident. At one point the bus started sliding backwards and I had visions of us careering over the edge of the cliff and careening into the valley. Luckily the driver managed to gain control and we were finally on our way again. We were all relieved! When the bus arrived in Ficksburg, a retired couple were there to meet me and took me back to their farm in close proximity to the town of Ficksburg. Surrounded by the Emperani Mountains their farm was picturesque to say the least. The town of Ficksburg known for the famous Cherry industry is situated on the border of Lesotho and the contrast between the two towns was highly visible while standing at the border. Ficksburg town itself is steeped in history and many of the sandstone buildings have been preserved. It has a quaint atmosphere, a feeling as though time has stood still.

Paula Wiegmink

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General Fick Memorial

The day I visited the memorial erected in the city centre in remembrance of General JIJ Fick (whom the town was named after) and the Voortrekkers, was the highlight for me. It was a very emotional moment when I laid my hand on the tomb of my great, great, great, great, great grandparents. JIJ Fick and his wife, were exhumed from their burial site on the family farm and relocated to the foot of the memorial statue in 1938 and unveiled at the centenary celebration. The next incredible experience came when I was taken onto the farm once owned by the General and shown the empty graves where their bodies were exhumed . As I stood in this empty field, surrounded by the silence of the past, I couldn't help but wonder what hardships and obstacles my ancestors must have endured while establishing this farm and building a life. A huge rocky outcrop to one side, the quiet pastures to the other and the mountains in the distance, it was obvious why they settled here. An extremely beautiful and lush countryside with so much to offer. It took my breath away. I left Ficksburg with a feeling of connection and a longing to return.

Paula Wiegmink, writing from Perth, Australia. If you like Paula's writings, also read her writeup of a South African Airways flight from Perth to Johannesburg.

On the Memorial it says "Ter Ere van Komdt Genl JIJ Fick, 1810-1892, Held van die Basoetoeoorlog 1855-1858, En Stigter van die dorp Ficksburg, opgerig deur 'n dankbare publiek in die Voortrekker Jaar 1938".

Ficksburg's attractions

The Old Mill	Situated about 15km outside Ficksburg, the Old Mill is the highest sandstone building in South Africa.
Cherry picking	Annually at the Ficksburg Cherry Festival.
SH Pellisier Art Gallery	Noted for its Jacob Pierneef frieze.

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