On 24 January 1900 a famous battle took place between the Boers and British Forces on the hilltop of Spioenkop. The battle was fought during the South African War which lasted from 1899 to 1902. The British forces were trying to relieve Ladysmith which was under siege, but the battle ended up being a defeat for the British.

In the early hours of a misty 24 January, the British forces attacked what they thought was Spioenkop where the Boers were based. However, they attacked the wrong hill, Spioenkop being some 500 metres away. The battle that then ensued ended with many casualties. Interestingly, at the end of the day, both sides thought that the hill had been captured by the other, until a Boer spy realised the situation and the Boers retook control of the hill.