Pomeroy, South Africa

Pomeroy
Solomon Linda
Pomeroy is located in KwaZulu-Natal
Pomeroy
Pomeroy
Pomeroy is located in South Africa
Pomeroy
Pomeroy
Coordinates: 28°33′52″S 30°26′19″E / 28.56444°S 30.43861°E / -28.56444; 30.43861
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictUmzinyathi
MunicipalityMsinga
Area
 • Total5.97 km2 (2.31 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total1,621
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African91.5%
 • Coloured2.3%
 • Indian/Asian4.3%
 • White0.4%
 • Other1.5%
First languages (2011)
 • Zulu89.7%
 • English6.9%
 • Other3.3%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
3020
PO box
3020
Area code034

Pomeroy (renamed Solomon Linda in 2022)[2] is a small town on the R33 road in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, some 72 kilometers north of Greytown and 56 kilometers south-south-east of Dundee. The town was named for the noble Sir George Pomeroy Colley, who led the ill-fated British force during the Battle of Majuba Hill in 1881.[3]

The town was established initially as the Gordon Memorial Mission in 1867 in memory of James Henry Hamilton-Gordon, the son of George Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl of Aberdeen. The mission worked with the Zulus.

A wealthy family of North Indian origin, the Boodhoo family, developed the mission further. A Mr. Boodhoo, whom Herman Boodhoo succeeded, first developed two stores. Herman Boodhoo further established a toy manufacturing shop and the company’s first supermarkets, Boodhoo Bros and Boodhoo & Sons. Herman Boodhoo’s successor, Puren Boodhoo, was a strong political figure, businessman, farmer, and sportsman, especially in golf and tennis. Puren Boodhoo also supported and hosted the local community’s sporting events. Rambally Boodhoo, his successor, furthered the business and supported town growth still. Like his predecessor, Rambally Boodhoo was a strong golf and tennis player, once being the captain of the local tennis team. Finally, Dan Boodhoo, a great entrepreneur, succeeded him. Presently, the work of the Boodhoo Dynasty still holds together the town.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Main Place Pomeroy". Census 2011.
  2. ^ "85 towns hit with name changes in South Africa – and more are on the way". BusinessTech. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 370.