Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
The Irene concentration camp was opened on 02 November 1900. The
population of the camp increased rapidly and people were housed in tents
under poor conditions. A camp census report for Boer Prisoner Populations
(April 1901) stated that there were 3703 prisoners of which 317 were sick
and 49 had died. In 1901 alone, 808 people died, and 973 of the total were
children. On 6 April 1901 a team of nurses started a nursing corps. Henrietta
Armstrong kept a camp diary that was published in 1980. The camp was later extended and this second camp was known as Nylstroom. By the end of 1902 there were about 5400 people in the two camps. Although peace was declared on 31 May 1902, the camps were only officially closed in 1903. The Irene Primary School, adjacent to the cemetery, was founded in September 1901 for the Boer children in the concentration camp.
The Camp Cemetery had more than 2000 people allegedly buried there, although the cemeterys name list only lists 1149 names. A name plate with a number of 2156 was discovered but only 850 heaps of soil, indicating graves, could be found. The original gravestones, which had generally been hand-engraved on slate as at the Cottesloe monument, were removed and placed under cover to prevent further weather damage. The grave sites were formalised with stone plaques on which the names of the 1149 persons buried in the cemetery were engraved.
Today, the Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery on Main Road in Irene is a national heritage site, under the protection of the SA Heritage Resource Agency.
For a lot of South Africans this site is a memorial to their forefathers, one visitor said that this was one of the saddest places he had visited in a long time. And to find memorial plates with his family surname printed on it was even sadder, having to think what conditions these people had to endure. We can only be extremely thankful for not having to live in those times.
Nearby Listings
Sleeps: 45 in 16 units/rooms
0.4km North of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Nestled in the quiet and tranquil surroundings of Irene Village the Colonial
Guest House gives you the opportunity to experience the ambience of the
countryside in the centre of Gauteng.
Sleeps: 7 in 3 units/rooms
From
R 300,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
0.7km South West of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Dunkelly offers self catering accommodation in the Centurion suburb of Irene. Situated between Pretoria and Midrand in the quaint, picturesque and secure village of Irene, Dunkelly can be found nestled in a country village steeped in history and surrounde
1.6km South West of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Leopardsong Manor offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the Centurion Golf Estate in Centurion, Gauteng. Our bed and breakfast facility in Centurion Golf Estate has been noted for its stylish interior and spacious rooms overlooking one of the best gol
Instant Booking
From
R 249,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
3.1km West of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Piccolo 46 offers self catering accommodation in Centurion in Gauteng. This luxury fully furnished two bedroom unit is a self-catering apartment located in Die Hoewes, Centurion on the corner of Von Willigh Ave and Lenchen Ave, close to all amenities and
From
R 242,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
3.1km West of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Piccolo 15 offers self catering accommodation in Centurion in Gauteng. This luxury fully furnished three bedroom unit is a self-catering apartment located in Die Hoewes, Centurion on the corner of Von Willigh Ave and Lenchen Ave, close to all amenities an
4.0km North of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Accommodation @ Van's offers self catering and bed and breakfast accommodation in Centurion. Located in the quiet suburb of Pierre van Ryneveld which sits between Moreleta Park and Lyttelton Manor in Centurion, Pretoria. We offer 11 self catering options,
Graded:
Sleeps: 34 in 17 units/rooms
From
R 600,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
4.0km East of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Pheasant Hill offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Doornkloof East in Centurion, Gauteng. Experience the atmosphere of the countryside outside the Pretoria city centre. We are just 1km from the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve. Stay in one of 14 luxurious
Instant Booking
8.4km North of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
The Aviary offers self catering accommodation in Waterkloof Glen in the south-west of Pretoria. We offer two units, The Sparrow (sleeps 2) and The Swallow room (sleeps 4). Each with en-suite bathrooms (shower and bath), HD flat screen with full package DS
Instant Booking
Sleeps: 10 in 4 units/rooms
From
R 495,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
9.2km North of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Waterkloof Self Catering offers accommodation in Waterkloof, Pretoria / Tshwane. We have 3 self catering flatlets (2 units sleep 1 - 4 people, and the other sleeps 1 - 2 people), each with its own private entrance, two with outside sitting areas and one w
Sleeps: 14 in 6 units/rooms
From
R 320,00
Per person, per night sharing.
* Rates may vary according to season
9.6km North East of center of Irene Concentration Camp Cemetery
Oxnead Guesthouse provides bed and breakfast accommodation in Moreleta Park in Pretoria East. This beautiful establishment with its Cape Georgian style is one of the first guesthouses established in Pretoria. Oxnead still offers a comfortable and highly r
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