The Golela border post was recently rebuilt to meet the increasing movement of people and goods between South Africa and Eswatini.

The name is of Zulu origin, said to be named after Golela kaMantsholo Thabede who was a noble man of the Mahlalela clan who were living along uPhongolo river, below Ubombo mountains.

Before it was constructed by the Transvaal government, the border was long used by people many years ago before the arrival of European settlers.

They would organize hunting expeditions and invite the neighboring Ntshangase, Nyawo, Mngomezulu and Buthelezi clans.

[1] It is served by a railway station on the line connecting South Africa and Eswatini.