Louwsburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Louwsburg is a small town in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Cattle and maize farming are the primary economic activities. The town was proclaimed a township in 1920 and named after Dawid Louw, a pioneer in the area. The town's Zulu name, Ngotshe, means "cave", though its location is unknown. The town is set in a broader region designated as eNgoje. The town's main tourist attraction is the adjacent Itala Game Reserve.OriginDawid Louw was a member of Lucas Meijer's boer commando, which in 1884, reacted to Dinuzulu's plea for help against his uncle Zibhebhu, who was usurping the throne. In return for their overthrow of Usibepu, they were granted land in northern Zululand, the future Nieuwe Republiek. Upon the commando's return from the campaign, Louw was allowed to choose a farm, and decided to build his farm house on the eastern slope of Ngotshe Mountain. Here he had the benefit of easy access to water and labour, and named his farm Toggevonde.Demographics and developmentLouwsburg is situated near Vryheid, and resort under one of its municipalities. The majority of people living in this area are Zulus, but a fair number of white South Africans and other groups also live here. Louwsburg continues to grow annually, though slowly. Residents blame the town council for being ineffective and unfair.