Louw's Creek (also known as Low’s Creek and historically as Mantibovu, meaning "red or brown water" in Siswati) is a small town in Mpumalanga, South Africa and a tributary of the Cape River. The town developed along the creek which flows northwards near the border with Eswatini.
The name "Low's Creek" is derived from David Ireland Low, a Scottish prospector who discovered a gold-bearing reef in the area. Before this period, the area was known in Siswati as "Mantibovu" (red water) to commemorate a battle around 1850 when the Swazi people drove the Mbayi people from the area, during which the creek reportedly ran red with blood.Liebenberg, Marlies (2016). Heritage Survey and Umjindi Area Heritage Structure. Barberton–Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site Nomination Dossier, Appendix I. August 2016, Version 1.1. Page 7
History It was named after David Ireland Low. In 1895, Low’s Creek became one of the stations on the Barberton to Kaapmuiden railway line, drawing settlers to the agricultural community. The area surrounding the creek was farmed and developed, including the establishment of Low’s Creek Farm, which was granted to Jack Dreyer, a member of the secret services during the South African War (1899–1902). Dreyer operated the Dreyer Hotel, later renamed the Low’s Creek Hotel, after the completion of the main road between Witwatersrand and Komatipoort.A Brief Overview of Louw's Creek, Mpumalanga.com, accessed 15 January 2025
Earlier, the creek and its surroundings were inhabited by Bapedi communities, notably the Mbayi people.von Breitenbach, F. (1990). Reports on Indigenous Forests, Part 1: Introduction and Methods; South-eastern Transvaal Forests; Kaapsehoop Forests; Uitsoek Forests,Department of Environment Affairs, Forestry Branch, Pretoria, Page 18 Swazi regiments under King Mswati II drove them from the area and established a military post called Mekemeke to safeguard land.Celliers, Jean-Pierre (14 August 2008). Mekemeke: A study of the archaeological sequence and interaction between two Swazi villages of the late. 19th and early 20th century, University of PretoriaMyburgh, A.C. (1949). The Tribes of Barberton District. Department of Native Affairs. Ethnological Publications No. 25. Page 47
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