town in South Africa
Vryheid (Zulu: IVryheid) is a coal-mining and cattle-ranching town of 47,000 people (2011) in Zululand, South Africa. Vryheid is the Afrikaans word for "freedom".
It was founded by Boer farmers, who lived in the Vryheid area. They had helped King Dinuzulu defeat his rival chief Zibhebhu for succession of the Zulu throne. Dinuzulu ceded land that they occupied along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the Boers formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its capital. Its sovereignty was recognized by Germany and Portugal. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic. At the end of the Second Boer War, the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into the Natal colony by the British.
Vryheid is located along the Transnet Coalline.
In 2011, the population was 85% Black and 12% White.
