Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal well as others that are now bypassed. The only sold local newspaper in Ladysmith is the "Ladysmith Gazette". The "Ladysmith Gazette" is just over a century old, and is believed to have been established in 1902. The "Ladysmith Gazette" is part of the Caxton Group of newspapers. One of two free local newspapers is the "Ladysmith Herald". The other free newspaper is the "Times of Ladysmith". A large number of the Second Boer War Battlefields around Ladysmith have been preserved as memorial sites. Monuments and memorials to those who died during the battles have been erected at most of them.
Siege of Mafeking town showed they were well trained as they performed remarkably well in their intended mobile role. The Mafeking defending forces totalled around 2,000, including the Protectorate Regiment of around 500 men, around 300 from the Bechuanaland Rifles and the Cape Police and a further 300 men from the town. The British garrison armed 300 African natives with rifles, these were nicknamed the "Black Watch" and used to guard the perimeter. Prior to the siege, Lord Edward Cecil formed the Mafeking Cadet Corps of boys aged 12 to 15 (claimed to be one of the inspirations for the Boy Scouts) who