Kannaland

 Ladismith is situated in the Little Karoo at the foot of the Klein Swartberg range. Superbly set against the mountains, Ladismith is overlooked to the north by some of the finest peaks of the Swartberge. Directly above the town soars the 2130m high Toringberg (towering mountain), so named because of its steep cliffs and its sharp peak. To the west stands one of the most famous mountains in Southern Africa, the majestic Towerkop (bewitched peak) 2203m high, with it split peak, and looms above the town. Local legend has it that an angry witch, flying overhead, struck the peak with her wand, causing the split. The peak changes marvelously and looks bewitchingly different from every angle. Climbing the bewitched mountain is an outstanding feat, for the final 122 m is a severe test. A local farmer, Gustaf Nefdt, first attempted it in 1885. The next ascent was not accomplished until 1905, and it remains one of the major climbs in Southern Africa. Ladismith started as a permanent place for worship. In 1851 a portion of the farm Ylands Vallei was bought and in 1852 this was laid out in 136 erven and named in honour of lady Juana Smith, wife of the Governor Sir Harry Smith. The spelling was Ladismith to differentiate it from Ladysmith in Natal. The town received local government in 1862 and became a municipality in 1903. The ostrich feather craze converted Ladismith into a boom town, with 50 000 birds breeding on the lucerne fields around the town and the farmers paying fortunes for breeding pairs, while their wife's enjoyed the profits by going on mad spending sprees. The feather crash in 1914 brought the district to bankruptcy. Ladismith farmers were very wary of the big birds for a long time. This fear eventually subsided just in time for a new fall. The new collapse did not have a significant influence on the district as other industries were much better established by then: vineyards, deciduous fruit and stock farming.