The Three, Spookiest, South African, Ghost Stories

Grab your crucifix and salt, people—let’s dive in!

Die Spookhuis

Built by Jochemus Johannes Petrus Erasmus, the Erasmus Castle sits quietly in Pretoria East. Construction began in 1892, and by 1903 Erasmus, his wife Johanna, and their children moved in. Beyond the manor itself, a cave on the property yielded colonial artefacts—turquoise beads from ancient Phoenicia (c. 2500 BC) and San artefacts dating to 150 000 BC.

The Erasmus family wielded significant wealth and land (Erasmuskloof, Erasmusrand ring a bell?). The property even has a private graveyard; one of the children, Enslin, was buried there in 1917 at the age of three.

And the hauntings? Rumours claim two children were locked in the tower due to leprosy. Witnesses report a woman in a Victorian nightgown, phantom footsteps and tapping, and the occasional sighting of a man lounging in an armchair like it’s 1899. Today, Armscor owns the mansion; it remains a cultural site and a favourite for paranormal tours and investigations.

Charlotte the Ghost

The historic Nottingham Road Hotel in KZN—welcoming travellers since 1854—reportedly hosts a tidy, almost helpful spirit. Guests and staff have long spoken of a presence that rearranges flowers and tidies up after visitors, with a particular soft spot for room ten.

They call her Charlotte. Legend says she was a guest or employee who jumped from a second‑storey window in 1902. These days, she keeps to herself—gliding through corridors, minding the décor, and generally being the least troublesome roommate ever to not be alive.

The Flying Dutchman

More than a meme from cartoons or a cursed ship in blockbuster films, the Flying Dutchman is the scourge of the Cape of Storms. The Dutch legend—rooted in the savage weather around the Cape and the perils faced by the Dutch East India Company—dates to the late 18th century.

The tale tells of a captain who swore he’d round the Cape even if it took forever. The Devil took that bet, cursing him and his crew to sail until the end of time—redeemable only through the love of a mortal woman. Sightings span centuries, from everyday mariners to King George V during a lengthy voyage. Spot the ghostly vessel on the horizon, and sailors say bad luck won’t be far behind.

Final Thoughts

That’s our tour through a few of the Rainbow Nation’s eeriest legends. From haunted halls to spectral housekeepers and a ship that refuses to dock, South Africa’s supernatural stories blend history, mystery, and a dash of dread.

If you’ve got another tale, sighting, or family legend—share it with us. We’ll keep the salt handy.