Female forger was surrounded in South Africa (9)

I believe the answer is:

ladysmith

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'surrounded in south africa' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'female forger' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'lady' (lady is a kind of female).
'forger' becomes 'smith' (I've seen this before).
'lady'+'smith'='LADYSMITH'

'was' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ladysmith that I've seen before include "Here was relief" , "place in South Africa" , "Craftswoman" , "place in Natal?" , "City Boers besieged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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