Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Howick Falls

Howick Falls. Photo by Janek Szymanowski. Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Howick Falls

Howick Falls is a waterfall in Howick, South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. The waterfall is 95 meters tall and is located on the Umgeni River. The Zulus named the falls KwaNogqaza, which translates as “Place of the Tall One.”

Many people have been swept over the falls, particularly during the province’s early days, when some settlers thought the best place to cross the river was just above the falls. There have been 40 recorded deaths in the area surrounding Howick Falls. The first occurring in 1851. The majority of these have been recorded as suicides, but accidents and murder have also occurred, contributing to, if not maintaining, the falls’ local legendary status.

Jeb Corliss had a near-fatal BASE jump into the waterfalls in 1999 when his chute opening became asymmetric, and he was unable to avoid flying into the down pouring water. 

1. Howick Falls has some intriguing aquatic life and mythical creatures

An eel. Photo by David Clode. Unspalsh

Large species of freshwater eel, such as Anguilla mossambica or Anguilla marmorata, both of which can grow to be 6-feet, inhabit the pool at the base of the falls.

The Inkanyamba is a legendary serpent said to live in a waterfall lake area near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, most commonly at the base of Howick Falls. The local Zulu tribes believe it is a large serpent with a horse-like head. It is believed that the Inkanyamba’s rage causes the seasonal storms, which are most active during the summer months.

Residents of KwaZuluNatal’s Ingwavuma and Pongola regions blamed the violent Inkanyamba for a brutal storm that killed thousands of people in 1998.

Because the Inkanyamba is rarely seen during the summer months, there is an ancient link between the animal and severe meteorological events. According to traditional Xhosa beliefs, the Inkanyamba (also known as a “winged” serpent in some ancient legends) takes to the skies each year in the form of a massive tornado to find its mate.

2. ‘Gorge Walk’ is one of the main attractions at Howick Falls

Gorge Walk. Photo by Mike Dickison. Wikimedia

The Howick Falls Gorge Walk is simple and straightforward, but it will take you through beautiful riverine forest, grottos, and meandering streams, surrounded by the green of the Natal Midlands and the damp that only walking along a river can provide.

The walk from the Gorge Walk sign at the bottom of Harvard Street in Howick to the pool at the bottom of the pool will take you about an hour, so you’ll need a couple of hours to complete the hike.

There are three trails at the falls that allow visitors to get closer to the various vantage points from which to photograph the waterfall.

3. Howick Falls’ existence has colonial links

The government designated a plot of land in this area in November 1850 and named it Howick after the home of British Colonial Secretary Earl Grey. The British government appointed a ship purser named Lodge to ferry passengers across the river. He established a small inn near the river and became the town’s first resident.

Early the following year, a traveler arrived at Lodge’s inn, insisting on being taken across the river despite the fact that the river was in flood. Lodge rode the man safely across the river, while his horses were given to a server and Lodge’s 12-year-old son.

While the servant made it safely to the other side of the river, the young boy’s horse lost its footing and was swept away by the current. Young Lodge was carried over the waterfall, and his body was discovered in a deep pool at its base. He was laid to rest near the pool. His cave is marked by a small pile of rocks.

4. Howick Falls has witnessed fatal accidents

Howick Falls. Photo by Janek Szymanowski. Wikimedia

Despite the fact that the new bridge made the river crossing much safer for travelers, fatal accidents occurred. A woman washing her clothes was swept over the waterfall just two weeks after the bridge opened. Her body became lodged on a ledge 15 meters from the top of the waterfall after she stuck a rock 30 meters down.

After several suggestions for how to remove the body were made, a solider named Gunner Mapleson volunteered to do it himself. Using his steeplejack experience, he proposed erecting a derrick that could be used to lower down the ledge. Mapleson descended the waterfall, took hold of the woman’s body, and was hauled back up.

5. Howick Falls has recorded a spate of suicide attempts

The first suicide at the waterfall occurred in 1906, when James Kerr threw himself over the edge. This resulted in a rash of suicides over the waterfall. In 1940, a schoolboy was killed when he collided with the side of the waterfall while attempting to jump over it. Divers were unable to locate the boy’s body due to sharp rocks and giant eels in the pool at the base of the waterfall.

6. Howick Falls is used by murderous gangs  and criminals to settle scores

This happened in October 1952, when a gang of drug dealers and robbers threw one of their members over the waterfall’s edge, killing him.

7. Howick Falls is a source of international attention and media frenzy

The strange animals lurking in the falls first gained international attention in 1996. This is after a local newspaper offered a reward for anyone who could produce photographic evidence of the creatures.

However, while two photographs were published, neither provided a clear indication of the animal’s appearance and were accused of being hoaxes. These (admittedly dubious) images only served to exacerbate the raging debate.

8. A famous model took an iconic photograph at Howick Falls

British model Wenda Parkinson, wife to acclaimed photographer Norman Parkinson chose  Howick Falls as a background setting for her shoot wearing a dress by Spectator Sports in May 1951. 

9. Mark Twain was a notable visitor at Howick Falls

Mark Twain. Photo by Wikimedia

The American Author was fascinated by the gripping scenery and general mysticism associated with the falls. He stayed over at the Howick Falls Hotel in 1896.

10. Nelson Mandela was captured at Howick

Free Nelson Mandela sculpture. Photo by JJonah Jackalope. Wikimedia

On August 5, 1962, Nelson Mandela was driving along a nondescript road pretending to be a chauffeur for communist activist Cecile Williams. The police stopped the car after receiving information that Mandela was passing through. They apprehended Mandela, who had evaded capture for 17 months.

Marco Cianfaneli and Jeremy Rose worked together to create a magnificent monument in Mandela’s honor. The sculpture is made up of 50 steel columns that range in height from six to 9.5 meters and span nearly 30 meters in width. When viewed from the correct angle, these are laser-cut to form an image of the former president. This monument is located at the end of a winding path that symbolizes the long journey to freedom.