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A contract with the Nederlandsche Zuid Afrikaansche Maatskappy, approved by the Volksraad on 23 August 1884, stipulated for work on the
construction of a railway line from the border of Mozambique subject to the provision that a section from Lourenco Marques (Maputo) to
Komatipoort should first be completed , to enable the carriage by rail of the necessary construction material.
This provision would however delay the construction and only in 1888 did the N.Z.A.S.M commence practical work in anticipation of being able to link up track when this railroad should reach the border. The eventual construction would, however, turn out to be extremely
dangerous. The death rate amongst the
workers was 135 per thousand.
The bridge over the Komati River was completed at the end of May 1891 and the railhead reached Komatipoort
Station on 1 July 1892. On 1 October it reached Hectorspruit Station; on 28 December it had arrived in Malelane, and
it eventually reached Krokidilpoort Station in April 1892. The railhead reached Nelspruit and was
put into commission on 20 June 1892. Construction continued and by 1
June 1893 it was at Alkmaar, and on 20 January 1894 at Waterval
Onder. Wateval Boven was reached on 20 June 1894 and the line was
completed when the last bolt was driven by President Kruger in
November 1894.
Though the line was in
commission by 1st January 1895 it was not formally opened until 27
June, when the Volksraad adjourned for the officicial opening and
proclaimed 8,9, and 10 July as public holidays in Pretoria. Every
burgher was eligible for a free ticket to and from Lourenco Marques
(Maputo).
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