August 2024

In our last few posts we shared with you our wonderful weekend at Outspan Safaris and Lodge. It is now time to return home, but on the way, we will visit a very old bridge over the Kei River and an old church in the small village of Komga.

Great Kei River and Bridge(s):

During our visit at Outspan Safaris and Lodge, we only saw the Kei River from a distance. We decided to drive the extra 11.9km/7.3 miles to see the river up close and were rewarded not only with the river but also a beautiful old bridge full of history.

The Great Kei River (320km/199 miles) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province. Historically, this river formed the southwestern border of the Transkei region and the old Cape Province. The river depends on rain and was quite low when we visited (the rainy season is during the summer months so will soon have more water).

The Great Kei River

And although it was finally nice to see the Great Kei River up close, we were pleasantly surprised at the sight of an old bridge.

Old steel bridge over the Kei River

The Great Kei Bridge was manufactured in London, England during 1877 and shipped to East London, South Africa from where it was transported by ox wagon and rail to where it is currently located.

Closer look at the old steel bridge

Apparently, the eleven pairs of riveted circular cast iron columns are typical of British engineering. The columns are filled with concrete and topped with decorative hollow cast iron moulded capitals.

The columns of the Great Kei Bridge

We saw a road leading to the old bridge and decided to take a closer look. While the bridge was being built, there was considerable conflict in the area. A few British soldiers were killed by Xhosa warriors at a hill near the bridge, called ‘Moordenaarskop’ (Murderers’ Hill), after which the bridge was finally completed in 1879.

View along the deck of the Great Kei Bridge

Riveted detail close up

The (new) N2 river bridge, which is currently in use, was opened in 1977 – exactly one hundred years after the old Great Kei Bridge was constructed.

The N2 river bridge

The N2 river bridge

While we were taking photos of the Great Kei Bridge, we saw another bridge further upstream. We later read in archive documents that the first wooden Rail Bridge was destroyed in a major flood in 1917 and that the Great Kei Bridge then served as both road and rail bridge until the new steel Rail Bridge was completed 32 years later in 1949 – the bridge we saw from the old Great Kei Bridge.

The Rail Bridge

While there is the convenient N2 river bridge that now takes traffic over the river, we understand that locals and farmers still use the old Great Kei Bridge – we could hardly believe that vehicles still drive over this bridge.

Between the old and new bridges is a big coral tree in full bloom and after we took some photos of the tree’s beautiful flowers, it was time to say goodbye to all the bridges and Great Kei River.

Flowers of the Coral tree

St Pauls Anglican Church in Komga:

While we were staying at Outspan Safaris and Lodge, Stuart told us about an old church in Komga that might be worth a visit on our way home.

Komga is a small village founded in 1877 as a farming centre on the site of a military camp established in 1854. When you have a close look at the dates, can you see the similarity between this village, the bridges, as well as the two military graves we visited at Outspan? (Read here about the military graves).

St Pauls Anglican Church

The St Pauls Anglican Church was completed and opened on 13 June 1866 and was declared a national monument.

Tower of St Pauls Anglican Church

The gate to the church grounds was open, and although the church was closed, we could walk around the building. There are many old graves from frontier wars and the site is in surprisingly good condition.

Old graves dating back to the late 1800’s

Windows of the church

Old graves and neat garden

Detail at some of the graves

At the back of the church is a colourful and fragrant flower garden. After so many years, it seems that the church and premises are still well looked after.

White and pink azaleas

Daisies

Lovely hibiscus

We were really pleasantly surprised with how beautiful the old church and grounds still look.

Final look at the St Pauls Anglican Church

I think it’s important that our country’s old buildings are preserved – there is a rich history to these places which we must not forget (just like the old Great Kei Bridge).