Off The Beaten Track to the Platinum Province of South Africa

Feb 8, 2012
Cathy Dzerefos

Butterfly cocoons made into dancing anklets. - C. Dzerefos

There is more to the North West Province of South Africa than gambling at Sun City or the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve

The capital city of the North West Province is Mmabatho which translates to "mother of the people". Forming part of Mmabatho is Mafikeng or "the place of stones" which is well documented in accounts of the Anglo-Boer war. The Boy Scout movement was started in Mafikeng by Lord Baden Powell. Mafikeng can trace its roots to 1857 when Silas Molema, the younger brother of the Barolong Chief Montshiwa settlled his people there. In the 1880's he built his house Maratiwa in Montshiwa village. Sol Plaatjie lived here during the seige of Mafikeng. It was were his famous work "Mafikeng Diary" was found.

Climate

The altitude is 1 000 to 2 000 metres above sea level. Summer rainfall is the norm and averages between 300 to 700 mm per annum. Average temperatures are high. The principal language spoken is Setswana (Anon 2012).

Bopitikelo Cultural and Community Center

Bopitikelo meaning "place of wallowing" in Tswana (Knoll 2001). It aims to showcase the cultural heritage of the North West Province in a modern architectural interpretation set in the African bush. It is situated north west of Rustenburg and the Pilanesburg with the Marico River running through it and is community run. It is designed to receive guests from Madikwe Nature Reserve and to offer them traditional food, story telling, theatre, song and dance. Architect Peter Rich describes the approach to the development as follows: "There is a sense of the sacred in the land and we have endeavoured to touch the ground lightly, like an acupuncturist."

The Town of Groot Marico

This small town is known through the writings of Herman Charles Bosman but is culurally and historically important for its iron age sites and San rock paintings dating to the 17th century (Anon 1995). It is known for its stong alcoholic brew "Mampoer" made from a variety of fruit, including marula.

Livingstone Mission Historical Site

David Livingstone built his first mission consisting of a house, church and a dam at Mabotsa. Buildings were a mere one metre tall. He lived there for three years from 1843 to 1846 (Anon 1995).

Magaliesburg Mountain Range

This mountian range was named after the renowned elephant hunter Chief Mohale and forms a natural barrier between the urban growth of Gauteng Province and the more rural North West Province. It has a rich biodiveristy. The Kgaswane Mountain Nature Reserve occurs on the northern slopes of the Magaliesburg. It boasts a breeding herd of Sable antelope as well as a colony of Cape vultures (Anon no date).

Rustenburg Golf Course

This 85 year old golf course is situated in a semi-arid region having an annual rainfall of 520 mm. It is located in the rain shaddow of the mountains. The greens utilise a water wise indigenous grass Cynodon dactylon and have beautiful large indigenous trees like Acacia robusta (Ankle thorn), Acacia galpinii (Monkey thorn), Acacia karroo (Sweet thorn) and along the river bank Ehretia rigida (Deurmekaarbos), Combretum erythrophyllum (River bushiwllow) and Celtis africana (White stinkwood). Sap from the Acacia's is particularly favoured by bushbabies. The grass is cut slighltly longer (12 to 14 mm) as longer leaf blades also results in longer roots and better water access. Birds such as Giant and Malachite Kingfishers are commonly seen by golfers.

Conclusion

Overall the North West Province also called the Platinum Province unofficially has something for everyone be it history, nature, culture or sport. A mere hour away from Johannesburg and Pretoria it can be day excursion or even better a weekend away from the hectic city life.