Draft:Louw’s Creek: Difference between revisions

Louw’s Creek (also known as Low’s Creek and historically as Mantibovu, meaning “red or brown water” in Siswati) is a tributary of the Cape River in Mpumalanga, South Africa. It flows northwards near the border with Eswatini.

The name “Low’s Creek” is derived from David Ireland Low, a Scottish prospector who discovered a gold-bearing reef in the vicinity.^[1] Before this period, the area was known in Siswati as “Mantibovu” (red water) to commemorate a battle around 1850 when the Swazi people drove the Mbayi people from the area, during which the creek reportedly ran red with blood.^[2]

It was named after David Ireland Low.^[1] In 1895, Low’s Creek became one of the stations on the Barberton to Kaapmuiden railway line, drawing settlers to the agricultural community.^[1] The area surrounding the creek was farmed and developed, including the establishment of Low’s Creek Farm, which was granted to Jack Dreyer, a member of the secret services during the South African War (1899–1902).^[1] Dreyer operated the Dreyer Hotel, later renamed the Low’s Creek Hotel, after the completion of the main road between Witwatersrand and Komatipoort.^[1]

Earlier, the creek and its surroundings were inhabited by Bapedi communities, notably the Mbayi people.^[3] Swazi regiments under King Mswati II drove them from the area and established a military post called Mekemeke to safeguard land.^[4][5]