Fort Klapperkop, Pretoria
In March 1896, a defence plan for Pretoria was accepted by the Executive Council of the Republic of South Africa (ZAR). The failed Jameson Raid had raised serious concerns about the safety of the capital, so a defence strategy would be implemented to protect Pretoria from foreign invaders, as well as disgruntled uitlanders (foreigners) on the Witwatersrand.
Four main Pretoria forts were erected by the government. The plan originally advised that there should be eight strongholds equipped with artillery, but owing to a lack of available funds, only four were erected.
Fort Klapperkop had guns mounted on ramparts that could be revolved and fired through numerous openings for maximum firepower in any direction. Trenches and barbed wire further prevented infantry infiltration. The fort harnessed the latest communication systems, which saw the telegraph rooms equipped with telephones.
The fort had unique features – it was built with a moat around it and a drawbridge, but the moat was never filled with water. The fort was supplied with running water from a pump station that it shared with Fort Schanskop and electricity was generated by a paraffin engine.
On 11 October 1899 war broke out between Great Britain, the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. Johannesburg encountered very little military action during this South African War, also called the Second Boer War or Anglo-Boer War, but Pretoria was surrendered to the British.
Fort Klapperkop was manned by a maximum of 30 troops, but by 1899, only 16 soldiers remained as the war drew men out into active service.
The fort never saw active combat and it is now a Gauteng Provincial Heritage Site and a South African national monument. It affords splendid views of Jacaranda City both from Johann Rissik Drive and the garrison itself.