The Volksraad (parliament) of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR, also known as the Transvaal Republic or South African Republic) proclaimed Marico, in western Transvaal, a separate district. Voortrekkers settled in this area as early as 1845. Formerly the region was inhabited by the Matabele (Ndebele) under King Mzilikazi. The Matabele were driven out by Voortrekker leaders Andries Hendrik Potgieter and Gerrit Maritz after Mzilikazi's attack on a Voortrekker laager at Vechtkop in October 1836. At Silkaatskop (named by the Voortrekkers after Mzilikazi), in the Marico Bushveld, 64 km north of the present town Great Marico, Mzilikazi's power was finally broken and he and his followers were forced to move over the Limpopo River into Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where he founded his new capital.

Sources:

Books:

Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 7, p. 201.

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