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Belief & Beyond: Three Tales That Changed Alexandria Forever

🌍 Where Stories Shape Reality

In the Eastern Cape's rolling hills and coastal dunes, history is not just written in textbooks—it's etched into the land itself.

Here in Alexandria, where ancient forests meet modern farmlands, three remarkable tales reveal how belief shaped not just individual destinies, but the fate of entire communities.

Each story whispers a truth about faith's power to both create and destroy, to protect and to devastate.

Jumbo's Tales: When Belief Changed History

The Schoolhouse That Defied Flames

During the tumultuous Sixth Frontier War (1834-1836), Heinrich Schörbeck—known locally as Hendrik Spoorbek—made an extraordinary claim.

As Xhosa warriors surrounded Alexandria's schoolhouse with burning torches, he calmly declared, "Die skoolhuis sal nie brand" (The schoolhouse will not burn).

Despite repeated attempts to set the thatch roof ablaze, the building remained unscathed.

While other structures crumbled to ash, this schoolhouse still stands today—a testament to either divine intervention or remarkable coincidence.

The Supernatural Horseman

Born on a farm near Alexandria, young Martiens Oosthuizen rode into legend in February 1838.

During intense conflict at Rensburg Koppie, the 20-year-old's seemingly impossible feat—galloping through hundreds of Zulu warriors while making precise shots—convinced his opponents he possessed supernatural powers.

The warriors, believing they faced something beyond mortal, parted to let him pass.

Today, his story reminds us how belief can transform perception and alter the course of battle.

The Prophet's Vision

Perhaps the most profound testament to belief's power came through 15-year-old Nongqawuse's prophecy in 1856.

Her vision of ancestral spirits promising resurrection led to mass cattle slaughter and crop destruction.

The tragic result—an estimated 40,000 deaths—stands as a sobering reminder of how faith, when manipulated, can lead to devastating consequences.

Giraffe's View: Alexandria Today

Modern Alexandria offers spaces for reflection on these powerful tales. At the Quin Sculpture Garden, artist Maureen Quin's works explore themes of human suffering and resilience—echoing the area's complex history.

Meanwhile, the Alexandria Trail winds through forests and dunes, offering peaceful spaces to contemplate humanity's eternal struggle with belief and doubt.

The 25,000-hectare Woody Cape Nature Reserve protects one of the world's most important dune field habitats—the Alexandria Dune fields.

This sanctuary, where ancient sand mountains meet the sky, offers not just spectacular birding opportunities but a sense of timeless perspective on human stories.

Zebra's Essential Guide

Stay: The Heritage Guesthouse (est. 1850) offers more than just accommodation—it's a gateway to Alexandria's supernatural past.

Sleep in converted horse stables or brave the yellowwood-floored upper level, where a resident ghost adds authenticity to the historical experience.

The building, once Alexandria's first hotel with its stoep extending into the sidewalk, now houses modern comfort within historical walls.

The owners live in the adjacent building, which once served as the town's first post office.

Visit Quin Sculpture Garden:

Location: 5 Suid Street, Alexandria

Hours: Monday–Friday (9:00-16:30), Saturday (9:00-13:00)

Sunday visits by arrangement only

Nominal entry fee applies

Alexandria Hiking Trail:

Book through SANParks (www.sanparks.org )

36km trail through diverse landscapes

Two-day hiking experience

Personal Tour Guide:
Marie Greyvenstein - Alexandria Tours 0685847653 Alexandria. toursec@gmail.com

Dassie's Hidden Gems

The town was once called Olifantshoek, named for the 200,000 elephants that roamed here.
Alexandria's dune fields rank among the world's most spectacular
The Woody Cape Nature Reserve is a birder's paradise

Meerkat's Safety Tips

Book accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons
Hiking trails require proper preparation and guidance
Respect historical sites and local customs
Best visited during spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May)

In Alexandria, every weathered building and ancient trail tells a story of belief's power to transform.

Whether you're wandering through Quin's sculpture garden or hiking ancient elephant paths, you're walking where faith once moved mountains—and sometimes brought them down.

Here, the past doesn't just echo; it teaches us timeless lessons about the power of what we choose to believe.

Let us know what you think in the comments!