Van Nazareth tot Middelburg.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die distrik Middelburg was aanvanklik deel van die Republiek van Lydenburg. In 1860, dit wil sê nog voordat daar in 1864 tot die stigting van die dorp Middelburg oorgegaan is, is hierdie gebied by die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek ingelyf. Van 1866 af het die dorp as Nazareth bekend gestaan totdat die Volksraad die naam Middelburg in 1874 in ere herstel het. Gedurende die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog is die dorp deur Britse magte beset wat ʼn militêre en ʼn konsentrasiekamp daar opgerig het. Die dorp wat in die begin stadig ontwikkel het, het mettertyd ʼn belangrike rol op kerklike en onderwysgebied gespeel. As gevolg van die groot toename van die inwoners en snelle vooruitgang wat Middelburg die afgelope twee dekades beleef het, het baie van die dorp se historiese geboue wat ʼn konkrete skakel met die verlede was, in die slag gebly.

• Summary: Originally the district of Middelburg was part of the Republic of Lydenburg. In 1860, however, before the town of Middelburg was established (1864), this district was incorporated into the Transvaal Republic. From 1866 the town was called Nazareth until the Volksraad in 1874 restored the name of Middelburg. During the Second Anglo-Boer War the British forces who had occupied the town established a military and a concentration camp there. Although Middelburg at first developed very slowly, it eventually became an important administrative and educational centre. The large population growth and the rapid progress that Middelburg has experienced in the past two decades have been responsible for the demolition of many of the historical buildings that linked the town with the past.