The 5 spookiest spots in SA

You don’t have to cross international waters to find your fair share of creepy. Here are five local haunted places.

1 CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE

Given the Castle of Good Hope’s history, I’d be more shocked if it didn’t have at least a few spirits lurking. Often found on lists of the world’s spookiest sites, visitors and staff have claimed to see the ghosts of Lady Anne Barnard, a soldier who hanged himself and even soldiers pacing up the battlements.

2 UNIONDALE

Undoubtedly one of the most famous ones, Maria (or the Ghost of Uniondale) can be seen hitch-hiking her way to the town. If you give her a lift you won’t have to take her far – she typically disappears mid-journey.

3 LORD MILNER HOTEL

Matjiesfontein seems to be a hotspot for spookiness, but our favourite has to be the Lord Milner Hotel, built in 1899. Visitors have reported hearing laughter in empty rooms and the sound of billiards being played – when there’s clearly no one there. Also keep an eye out for the ghostly figure of a nurse and the town founder himself, James Logan.

4 AFRICANA LIBRARY

This Kimberley library was built in 1882. In the 1900s, librarian Bertrand Dyer was caught committing fraud, and took his own life in the library. It’s said his ghostly spirit can be seen roaming the aisles and if you are ever looking for a book, you simply have to ask Dyer and that very book will fall off the shelf.

5 NOTTINGHAM ROAD HOTEL

This Midlands hotel is said to be haunted by ‘Charlotte’ who died under mysterious circumstances in the 1800s. Visitors, staff and passers-by have reported running into her. She’s said to rearrange flowers, move mirrors and unpack guests’ bags.