The North West Province is an inland province of South Africa, bordering Botswana. Despite its name, indicating that it is in the northwest of South Africa, it is actually located in the north-central region.
Location of North West Province in South Africa
Here are some key facts about this fascinating province:
- Capital: Mahikeng (Mafikeng), which means “The place of rocks”
- Principal languages: Setswana, isiXhosa, Sesotho
Historical Overview
Humans have lived in what is now North West for millions of years. In 1924 an important fossil was found at Taung. Fossils are the remains or traces of plants and animals that lived long ago. The fossil was part of the skull of a young hominin (early human). It is believed to be about 2.4 million years old.
The skull was found in a mine and given to the anthropologist Raymond Dart. Anthropologists study human culture and evolution. Dart identified the skull as Australopithecus africanus, meaning “southern ape of Africa.” The Taung skull is an important link in the evolution of humans.
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Scientists have found other sites where people lived thousands of years ago as well. Over time, the people formed communities, and other people came into the area from elsewhere. In the 1830s a group of Europeans known as Boers arrived in the region. They established a state called Transvaal, which included what is now North West.
The Boers fought with the local people as well as with the British, who also wanted to control the land. One well-known battle between the Boers and the British took place during the Anglo-Boer War at what is now Mahikeng. In October 1899 a Boer force laid siege to Mahikeng. They trapped British soldiers in the town for seven months. More British troops arrived to free the soldiers in May 1900.
The British won the war and took control of the Boer republics. When the Union of South Africa was formed, the area that is now North West province was part of the Transvaal province. Some of the land was later set aside as a so-called “homeland” for blacks.
The North West Province was part of the old Transvaal, and includes most of the parts of the old homeland, Bophuthatswana. North West was incorporated after the end of apartheid in 1994, and includes parts of the former Transvaal Province and Cape Province, as well as most of the former bantustan of Bophuthatswana.
Geography and Climate
North West province occupies the relatively flat interior plateau (Highveld) of Southern Africa and stretches from the usually dry Molopo River southward to the Vaal River. Savanna and thornveld country predominate, and there are salt pans in the south.
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Much of the province consists of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the northeast extends about 130 km (about 80 miles) from Pretoria to Rustenburg.
Summers are hot, and precipitation averages 20 inches (500 mm) annually. Temperatures range from 17 to 31 °C (63 to 88 °F) in the summer and from 3 to 21 °C (37 to 70 °F) in the winter.
Demographics
Black Africans constitute more than nine-tenths of the population and are mostly Tswana-speaking peoples. According to the 2007 community survey 90.8% of the province's population was Black (mostly Tswana-speaking), 7.2% as White (mostly Afrikaans speaking), 1.6% as Coloured and 0.4% as Asian.
Whites make up less than one-tenth of the population and mainly speak Afrikaans. Smaller groups include Afrikaans, Sotho, and Xhosa speaking people. English is spoken primarily as a second language. Most of the population belong to Christian denominations.
The 2007 community survey showed the province had a population of just over 3 million. The province's white population is very unevenly distributed. The province has the lowest number of people aged 35 years and older (5.9%) who have received higher education.
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Economy
Mining also plays an important role in the economy. There is a lot of platinum in the province, so that it is often called the Platinum Province. The world’s largest platinum mines are near Rustenburg in the North West Province. Most of the World’s platinum comes from the Merensky Reef in the North West Province.
The mainstay of the economy of North West Province is mining, which generates more than half of the province's gross domestic product and provides jobs for a quarter of its workforce. The chief minerals are gold, mined at Orkney and Klerksdorp; uranium, mined at Klerksdorp; platinum, mined at Rustenburg and Brits; and diamonds, mined at Lichtenburg, Christiana, and Bloemhof.
Platinum is more valuable than gold, and is very popular in jewelry. About 85% of all money-making activities take place between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom. The economic heart of the province is Klerksdorp.
Corn (maize) and peanuts (groundnuts) are grown throughout the province, and tobacco, wheat, and citrus fruits are raised in the northeast. Cattle and sheep are grazed in large numbers.
The northern and western parts of the province have many sheep farms and cattle and game ranches. The eastern and southern parts are crop-growing regions that produce maize (corn), sunflowers, tobacco, cotton, and citrus fruits.
Anglo American Platinum to leave Rustenburg
Tourism
Tourists are attracted to this province for its game reserves, national park and the world-famous Sun City. The North West is the proud host of some of South Africa’s most interesting and exciting activities and tourist attractions.
Sun City
Here are some of the top tourist destinations in the North West Province:
- Sun City: History was made in 1979 when Sun City was opened in the North West to become the best holiday resort in South Africa, and for good reason. Home to the Valley of Waves and sprawled along the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, Sun City Resort enjoys the fine distinction of being the only surf-and-safari destination within a two-hour drive of landlocked Johannesburg. There is a casino, an 18-hole golf course, theatres and concert halls, beaches and even a wave pool at the Valley of the Waves. Sun City also encompasses a fantastically reconstructed tropical rainforest - a wonderful experience for tourists.
- Pilanesberg National Park: Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment. Pilanesberg is an ideal and exciting safari destination, situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, close to the cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. It has some great game viewing and affordable accommodation.
- Madikwe Game Reserve: Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa's prime safari destinations with the park home to over 60 large mammal species and includes the Big Five. The endangered Wild Dog can be found at this reserve which is also famous for its African Wild Dog research.
- Hartbeespoort Dam: Another of the province's popular attractions is Hartbeespoort Dam, located in the heart of the Magaliesburg, this area is known for its fun times and leisure activities.
- Taung Skull Fossil Site: The Taung Skull Fossil Site where the Taung Skull was found in 1924.
Other outdoor activities include:
- Peglarae Trail: Named after the rare Aloe Peglerae, this is a great half-day adventure full of mountain vistas and wildflower splendour.
- Kalahari Primitive Trail: Trek deep into the heart of the Kalahari on the Kalahari Primitive Trail - a raw, off-grid wilderness immersion in the vast !Khamab Kalahari Reserve, where you’ll carry everything on your back, sleep under the stars and move entirely on foot.
Municipalities
The North West Province is divided into four district municipalities.
Additional Facts
Here are some additional facts about North West Province:
- The principal town, Vryburg, is the centre of a large agricultural district which has all the modern conveniences.
- The larger part of the region is still commonly known as Stellaland.
- The region is also affectionately known as “The Texas of South Africa” given its strong mining and agricultural economy.
- The region is situated 1,200m above sea level and has an annual average rainfall of 430mm.
- The vast expanses of this African savannah bushland is home to a great variety of game species, including lion, buffalos and rhino to be encountered at number of privately owned game reserves!
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