In the next in this series of the origins of place names throughout South Africa, we look at Kokstad.
Kokstad is situated in KwaZulu Natal near the Eastern Cape border. The name Kokstad is of Dutch derivation and was named after a certain gentleman by the name of Adam Kok III. The name literally means "town of Kok". T
The following snippet of history is from the African Voices website:
"The Griquas trekked from Philippolis over the Drakensberg and settled at Mount Currie. With the help of Rev. William Dower and Rev. William Murray the Griquas had, in 1871, surveyed the town. This was done from the centre of the town, now known as the Market Square.
In the middle of 1872 Adam Kok called a Volksraad meeting (at the larger) on the slopes of Mount Currie. After a brief review he had them all mount up with an order them to load all government property and they moved into town. At the Market Square each burger was told to build their houses in town. Mr Charles Bisley then addressed the gathering and suggested that out of respect to Kaptein Adam Kok and with the approval of the council the new town should be named Kokstad."
