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North West
North West, also known as the ‘Platinum Province’, is centrally located on the subcontinent with direct road and rail links to all southern African countries, and with its own airport near the capital city, Mafikeng. The province borders Botswana and is fringed by the Kalahari desert in the west and the Witwatersrand area in the east.
North West is divided into the Central, Bophirima (towards the west), Southern, Rustenburg and Eastern regions. Most economic activity is concentrated in the Southern Region (between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp), Rustenburg, and the Eastern Region, where more than 83,3% of GDPR of the province is produced.
Provincial profile
- North West is home to Mafikeng, site of the Anglo-Boer/South African War siege.
- It boasts the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.
- North West is blessed with several cultural villages that entertain and enrich.
- A number of excellent game reserves have been established, including the Pilanesberg National Park, known as the ‘Jewel of the North West’. It is set in a crater on an extinct volcano and is home to the Big Five as well as a wide variety of smaller game and birds.
- The area surrounding Rustenburg and Brits boasts the largest single platinum-production area in the world.
- The Platinum Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) is situated on the Coast-to-Coast highway that links the port of Maputo in Mozambique to Walvis Bay in Namibia.
- Some of the largest cattle herds in the world are found at Stellaland near Vryburg, which explains why this area is often referred to as the ‘Texas of South Africa’.
Of the 3 374 200 people living in the North West, 65% live in the rural areas (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006).
Accommodation
The North West has a variety of accommodation establishments, catering for all needs.
Tourism and leisure
Central District
The historic route of Mafikeng includes an Anglo-Boer/South African War siege site, the Molema House where Sol Plaatje lived while writing his Mafikeng Diary, and the Mafikeng Museum.
The Lichtenburg Game-Breeding Centre and the Botsalano Game Reserve are well worth a visit.
The Groot Marico region is known as mampoer country and visitors can embark on a mampoer route. The Kortkloof Cultural Village is dedicated to the Tswana people.
Other attractions include the Wondergat; the Bosbult Monument, which commemorates a battle fought during the Anglo-Boer/South African War; the Kaditshwene Iron Age Village Ruins; and various hiking trails.
Eastern district
The Hartbeespoort Dam is a popular spot for weekend outings, breakfast runs and yachting. The Hartbeespoort Reptile and Animal Park is situated on the banks of the dam.
Cultural experiences in the area include the popular Mapoch and Gaabo Motho cultural villages as well as the Ring Wagon Inn.
The De Wildt Cheetah-Breeding and Research Centre specialises in breeding cheetah and other endangered wildlife species. Other places of interest include the Borakalalo Game Reserve, the Margaret Roberts Herb Farm and the Phaladingwe Nature Trail. There are several golf courses in the area.
Bophirima district
The Taung skull fossil site and the blue pools are renowned for the Taung skull found in the Buxton quarries. In July 2005, the World Heritage Committee declared the Taung skull fossil site an extension of the Sterkfontein fossil hominid site. This region is popular with adventure-seekers – especially the 4x4 routes and hunting farms.
Rustenburg district
The Pilanesberg National Park supports more than 7 000 head of game and 350 bird species.
The 60 000-ha Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species. Over 10 000 animals of 27 major species have been reintroduced under Operation Phoenix. A hot-air balloon ride, day and night game drives, and bushwalks are available. Sun City and the Palace of the Lost City are very popular tourist attractions offering gambling, golf, extravaganza shows, watersport and an artificial sea.
There are various hiking trails in the region. The Heritage Route starts at the Sterkfontein Caves World Heritage Site and ends at Pilanesberg.
Southern district
The OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary in Potchefstroom has over 200 bird species and is situated adjacent to the Mooi River. The Oudorp Hiking Trail takes visitors through the old part of Klerksdorp where 12 Voortrekker families settled.
Other attractions in the region include the Potchefstroom Lakeside Resort, the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve in Klerksdorp, mine tours at Orkney, the Diggers Route at Wolmaransstad and the Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve.
Contact details
North West Provincial Government
Private Bag X129, Mmabatho, 2735
Garona Building, South wing, 3rd Floor, Dr James Moroka Drive, Mmabatho
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Fax: (018) 387 3119
Website: http://www.nwpg.gov.za