Places to Stay in Klerksdorp, North West, South Africa

Geography

The bustling mining town of Klerksdorp lies about 170km southwest of Johannesburg, along the N12 towards Kimberley.

History

Like most South African towns, Klerksdorp began life as a farm, originally settled by one of the first Voortrekkers on the banks of the Schoonspruit. It developed into a small village and was named in 1837 after the first magistrate of the area, a certain Jacob de C'lerq. The rural nature of Klerksdorp changed drastically when gold was discovered here in August 1886, soon becoming a bustling boom town. By 1889 there were over 200 commercial buildings, including 70 taverns and a stock exchange, but due to the gold being too low-grade for most companies to make a profit, the rush did not last long. Mining of gold and other minerals still continues, and today Klerksdorp is one of the largest mining and agricultural centres.

Arts and Culture

Klerksdorp has many interesting places that are bound to fascinate tourists. The rock engravings located on Bosworth Farm are wonderfully preserved and are now a provincial heritage site. Visitors to the Klerksdorp Museum, housed in a former sandstone prison, can see exhibits depicting the early life of the town, as well as archaeology, social history and local geological history. The first provincial heritage site in Klerksdorp is the Railway Station and Old Flag Room, opened by Paul Kruger in 1897. Tours can be arranged at the Klerksdorp Mine, and at the Old Cemetery the graves of many British soldiers, women and children who died during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War of 1899 - 1902 can be visited.

Science

Klerksdorp is home to the largest grain silo in the country, second largest grain co-operative in the southern hemisphere and the Vaal Reef Gold Mine, one of the largest gold mines in South Africa. The town is the headquarters of the South African Sussex Cattle Breeders Association, and has many fine herds of this magnificent animal. Also of interest is the small Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve, situated 13km north of Klerksdorp, that is home to a fascinating ecosystem, and where a number of important game species including rhino, have been introduced. The municipal gardens of Klerksdorp have a variety of indigenous and exotic plants.

Entertainment

Visitors can see Goudkoppie, an old mine with shafts dating back to the 18th century, and the exhibitions held at the Warden House. Also of interest is Jack Scott House, a tin house imported from Britain and the home of Jack Scott, the father of modern-day mining in the area. The recreational facilities at the Johan Neser Dam on the Schoonspruit, located to the northwest of the town, provide great family entertainment.

Did You Know

Klerksdorp had its own stock exchange. The building in which it was housed was opened in 1888 and still stands today.