Founded in 1884, the Town was formed within an Area granted to early Voortrekker settlers, by the Zulu King Dinizulu. After Boers; Local farmers, had helped King Dinizulu defeat his rival chief Zibhebhu for succession of the Zulu throne. Land that they occupied was given to them by session from the Zulu king along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the Boers formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its Capital and its sovereignty was recognized by Germany and Portugal.

The year 1896 signifies an important moment in African history. In that year, on 1 March 1896, a historic battle between invading Italian forces and a strong Ethiopian army (under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II and his wife, Empress Taytu – sometimes spelt Taitu) took place. The result of this violent clash marked a turning point in the European colonial mission known as the Scramble for Africa.