OHRIGSTAD Happy valley
Faith and humour. According to long-time Ohrigstad residents, these are the two essential requirements if you want to thrive in this valley. Their bushveld town can be found 48 km north of Lydenburg, just across the Limpopo border, surrounded by a large farming community.
A group of Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Hendrik Potgieter founded Ohrigstad in 1845. It was first named Andries Orieg Stad, but today it bears the name of a Dutch trader who helped establish the village. “But Gregorius Ohrig’s role was actually not that significant,” says Jan Ferreira, a farmer and history buff. Jan grew up here and farms with macadamias, seed maize, seed beans and sweet potato. “My forefathers came to Ohrigstad with the Voortrekkers,” he says. “There are a few families who can trace their ancestors back to those days.”
“We have a saying: In these parts a good neighbour is worth more than a good wife. It’s fairly easy to find a new wife, but nearly impossible to find a compatible neighbour.”
His wife, Ronnie, arrived later, when she began teaching at Ohrigstad Primary School in 1973. She retired in 2014 after a tenure of 15 years as the principal. “I am English-speaking,”
