Lichtenburg, North West

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Lichtenburg is a town situated in North West Province of South Africa.

The town was established in 1873 and was named by Transvaal President Thomas Burgers, Lichtenburg (Town of Light). On the 13 March 1926, Jacobus Voorendyk, discovered a diamond on his family farm and within 12 months there were 108,000 fortune seekers on the scene. The resulting diamond rush lasted ten years.

The main economic activity is the production of maize (corn). Lichtenburg lies in the heart of the maize triangle, which is the main maize growing area in South Africa.

Another major economic activity in the Lichtenburg area is the production of cement. Within a radius of 80 km of Lichtenburg there are three major cement producers. This creates an opportunity for long distance transport and related activities.

GENERAL INFO

Lichtenburg is situated approximately 230 km west of Johannesburg on the main route to Mmabatho. It lies 1 459 m above sea level. The climate is healthy and moderate. Frost occurs in winter but the days are pleasantly sunny. As a result of natural water resources and wide open spaces it has a natural charm and is a true oasis in an otherwise slightly arid North West Province.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Lichtenburg was established in 1873 by Commandant H.A. Greeff. The history of the town is closely associated with the life of General De la Rey, who apart from being the town's representative in the House of Assembly, was also Assistant Commandant General of the Boer forces. After Unification he also became Senator. He was buried in Lichtenburg after a fatal shooting incident at Langlaagte. More and more farmers settled here during the mid to late 1800, such as the families of Abram Swanepoel, Abram de Villiers, Karel Weyer, Hans de Beer, the Oosthuizens, Van den Bergs, Krugers, Ludicks, Redelinghuys’, Pretorius’, Steinmans, Sneyders’ en Viljoens.

INDUSTRIES

Several factories manufacturing inter alia liquid fertilizer, animal feed and agricultural implements are established here. Two of the largest cement factories in the Southern Hemisphere namely Holcim Dudfield (prev. Anglo Alpha) and Lavarge (prev. Blue Circle Cement) as well as the biggest cheese factory in the country namely Clover S.A., are situated here.

BUSINESS

The central business area consists of approximately 150 retail undertakings, 20 financial institutions and many other service institutions. Shop and office accommodation is available as well as select business sites adjoining the central business area.

SPORT

The Lichtenburg Sports Car Club is affiliated with the South African Motor Sports body and motor car and motor cycle races - both on the race track and offroad - represented here, attract well-known racing drivers.

INTERESTING PLACES & TOURISM

Considering its unique historical background and special places of interest, coupled with its tranquility and moderate climate, Lichtenburg should certainly be included in the itinerary of the tourist.

• Lichtenburg Diggings Museum

The theme of the museum is the alluvial diamant diggings of this region 1925-1935, then the richest public diggings in the world. The biggest pure red diamond (flawless) ("pigeon blood red") in the world was found here in 1927. The stone was of 33 carats. It was sold for 66 pounds and was later valued at $150,000. The stone would be worth more than $6 million today and is the purest red diamond in the world. The biggest diamond rush in history took place in March 1927 on the farm Grasfontein near Lichtenburg, when 25,000 runners took part to peg their claims. The town accommodates a Social-historical museum and a Agricultural museum with a big collection of antique tractors and many other interesting objects, and the new Digging Museum.

• The Diggings

Approximately 20 km north of Lichtenburg lies the world renowned diamond diggings over an area of more or less 35 km from east to west, known as “Bakerville”.

• Bakerville

Bakerville is 18km from Lichtenburg on the Zeerust Road. Step back into the mists of time and dream of untold wealth. You look around you and hear the thousands of hopeful diggers as they jostle for position in the biggest diamond rush the world has ever seen.

It was the richest public diggings ever mined - it was the Lichtenburg Diamond Rush of February 1926 and a population of 150 000 souls appeared as if by magic. Bakerville, or "Bakers" as it was known it the time, it is only one of several "Diggers Towns", developed in Wild West style. Bakerville was the biggest and most famous of the towns. Bigger than Cape Town at the rime, the Lichtenburg district made many men rich but broke thousands of hearts.

By 1928 the rush was over. Today a smattering of "bitter-einders" remain, optimists all, still digging through tonnes of gravel heaps in the never-ending search for the 'Big One'

Then came one of the most exciting times in the Century. By the end of 1927 there were proclamations on eight farms. In a second rush in 1945, production on the diggings was on the same scale as in 1925; one-hundred-and-four diggings on one farm were proclaimed.

It all started two years earlier, in 1924, when postmaster's son Kosie Voorendyk and a couple of la homers were digging a cattle dip. Suddenly a worker's eye caught a glitter in the gravel. Kosie, in great excitement picked up the stone and took it to the local science teacher, a Mr Bosman, to put the stone through an acid test. It was a beautiful stone of three carats. Immediately the Voorendyks contracted PR Hager, the state geologist and prospector. But he was not impressed. He paid a short visit to the farm in 1925 and briefly looked around. His reaction: "My boy, there are no diamonds on this farm. A bird must have dropped it here."

PR Hager moved on to another find at Manana, a farm next to Lichtenburg, and went prospecting. The first proclamation of a digging was made there. He then moved off to a farm, Hangklip, near Elandsputte. At least he thought he did. Unknowingly he got lost and started prospecting Elandsputte itself. Within days he found a stunning six-carat stone. His first wash delivered 21 diamonds, the next, 361. The diggings were proclaimed in February 1926, the first one where thousands of diggers took part.

Then came professional diggers, fortune seekers and the adventurers. From all over the world there was only one road - and it led to Lichtenburg.

A city of shacks rose within a year. The population of 150,000 was seven times bigger than that of Lichtenburg today. Diamond digger Bakers, called after the owner Albert Baker, and later known as Bakerville, was the main town. Houses and shacks stood wall-to-wall for several kilometres. Some 250 diamond buyers plied their trade along with dining houses, a cinema, a merry-go-round and about 60 cafes, shops, barbers, butcheries and other businesses. The Bakerville school, one of 17 on the diggings, had 15 classrooms. MC Botha, later Minister of Bantu Affairs in the Apartheid government, was at this school. It was the phenomenal amount of diamonds found just beneath the topsoil that made the diggings so extraordinary. In one-week diamonds worth R10 million in today's terms were found.

Up until 1927 an astounding amount of diamonds were pulled out of the ground - 70% of the former Transvaal's alluvial production at the time. The Lichtenburg diggings were indeed rich beyond imagination.

From 1928, the economic position of the diggers weakened dramatically because of worked out gravels, a fall in diamond prices and the onset of the Depression.

Inevitably, the diggers drifted away and slowly calm returned to the district. In the early 1980’s, interest in the area was renewed with the release of a government report which indicated that undiscovered diamond-ferous gravels may occur beneath the sand cover within sinkholes and channels outside of the known major runs, which are located on eight farms. This period saw the arrival of foreign and local mining and exploration companies to the area.

• Public Library

A modern public library and an excellent art gallery which is one of the biggest in the country, housing a valuable collection of paintings by well known South African artists are situated in a wing of the Civic centre. Paintings of Gregoir Boonzaaier, Irmin Henkel, Irma Stern, Louis Steyn, Walter Battiss, Dirk Meerkotter, F. Claerhout, Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, Johannes Meintjes and the sculptor Hennie Potgieter form part of the collection.

• Burning Vlei

The vlei which separates Lichtenburg from its biggest suburb, Kieserville, is unique in as much as the thick layers of peat (which is the product of millions of years of marsh vegetation and the forerunner of coal) had for decades been burning subterraneousley, creating a great hazard for man and beast. Very few such phenomena occur worldwide. Presently, due to the stemming of the flow of vlei water, the burning has ceased and water sport is being practised on the two resulting dams. During the 1984 drought the vlei again started burning in places. The Dauth-Roode and Centenary dams provide opportunity for water sport. A nine hole golfcourse is kept in excellent condition and is quite a challenge for the keen golfer.

• Wondergat

Approximately 40 km on the Mafikeng road lies the Wondergat. It is the deepest sinkhole in South Africa where deep-freshwater diving can be practiced. Diving courses are given here and it is one of the most popular in-land diving places in the country. According to divers, if you have not dived at Wondergat you have not dived at all.

• Unique Breeding Centre (Admittance: R10 adults, R5 children)

Two kilometres north-east of Lichtenburg is a unique game breeding centre, operated by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa measuring 4 500 ha, where game such as addax, mohrr gazelle and the pygmy hippopotamus of West Africa are bred. White rhino, blue wildebeest, zebra, impala, gemsbok and many other species are to been seen in their natural surroundings. The area is also ideal for a day trip or a fascinating weekend's viewing and a pair of binoculars always comes in handy. Abundant water in the area creates a paradise for numerous water and other bird species like ducks, coots, herons, secretarybirds and vultures. The Willie Marnewick Birdhide is one of the largest of its kind in the country and it enables enthusiastic birdwatchers to look more closely at the birdlife. Barbecue facilities have also been provided, and special night drives can be arranged (Tariffs: adults R25, children R10). Animals bred at the Centre are supplied to international as well as local zoos and game farms. Interested people may become members of the Friends of the Zoo Society. Self catering facilities are available in the Centre (Tariffs per night: adults R95, children R45). For more information - Andr頍atthee, tel. (018) 6322818, cell. 0833 268721, fax. (018) 6321535.

MONUMENTS

a) On General De la Rey Square in front of the Town Hall: 1) A twice life size statue of General De la Rey mounted on his horse Bokkie. This work of art is the creation of sculptor Hennie Potgieter, who grew up in the Lichtenburg district. 2) The Burger Monument engraved with the names of 87 burghers of Lichtenburg and district who fell during the Anglo-Boer War. 3) Memorials erected during the 1938 Symbolic Ox Wagon trek. 4) The Afrikaans Language Monument designed by Hennie Potgieter and erected during the 1975 language centenary festival. b) The Greeff memorial at Witklip 10 km north east of Lichtenburg in commemoration of the founder of Lichtenburg, H.A. Creeff. c) The grave of General De la Rey is in the Lichtenburg cementary with a bronze bust of General De la Rey created by Fanie Elof d) A small Voortrekker monument is erected on Elandsfontein, General De la Rey's farm, in commemoration of the late Boer leader. e) A historical cattle dip on the farm Elandsputte, 20 km north of Lichtenburg was declared a national monument. f) The Gruisfontein battle field 24 km east of Lichtenburg, where a monument has been erected in honour of the burghers who fell there.

• Historical Buildings

1) The Dutch Reformed Church in Gerrit Maritz Street erected in 1890 (Declared a National Monument). 2) The old magistrate's building dates from 1895/96. 3) The home where General De la Rey lived, 3 km west of town, was demolished during the Anglo-Boer War. During 1902 it was rebuilt on the original foundations. 4) The home of the founder, H.A. Greeff, built in 1875 on Manana, 10 km east of Lichtenburg, is still standing. 5) An old plantation house, home of the pioneer in dry-land farming, Col. H du Tolt, erected in 1910 south of town is still in use as a welling.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The North West Province of South Africa is bounded on the north by Botswana, on the south by the provinces of Free State and the Northern Cape, and on the northeast and east by the Limpopo Province and Gauteng. Covering 118,797 sq km (45,869 sq miles), the North West Province was created in 1994 by the merger of Bophuthatswana, one of the former bantustans (or black homelands), and the western part of Transvaal, one of the four former South African provinces.

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. The Vaal River flows along the southern border of the province. Temperatures range from 17° to 31° C (62° to 88° F) in the summer and from 3° to 21° C (37° to 70° F) in the winter. Annual rainfall totals about 360 mm (about 14 in), with almost all of it falling during the summer months, between October and April.

In 1994 the population of the North West Province was estimated to be 3 669 349 (out of a total of an estimated 44 819 778 people living in South Africa); 65% of the people in the North West Provice live in the rural areas. The majority of the province's residents are the Tswana people who speak Setswana. 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. (Figures according to Census 2001 released in July 2003).

The province has the lowest number of people aged 20 years and older (5,9%) who have received higher education. The literacy rate is in the region of 57%. As part of the Department of Education’s proposed plans for higher education, the existing four higher learning institutions will be merged to form two.

During 2003, as part of the Year of Further Education and Training project, three mega institutions, Taletso, ORBIT and Vuselela, were established to provide technical and vocational training to the youth. These institutions have been incorporated into many of the former education and technical colleges and manpower centres.

Mafikeng, formerly Mafeking, serves as the provincial capital. Other significant towns include Brits, Klerksdorp, Lichtenburg, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg and Sun City. The province has two universities: the University of North West, which was formerly called the University of Bophuthatswana (founded in 1979), in Mmabatho; and Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (founded in 1869; became a constituent college of the University of South Africa in 1921 and an independent university in 1951).

Important historical sites in the province include Mafikeng, the traditional capital of the Barolong people, where a British garrison was placed under siege by Afrikaners during the Boer War (1899-1902); Lotlamoreng Cultural Village near Mafikeng, which re-creates a traditional African village; and Boekenhoutfontein, the farm of Paul Kruger, who was the last president of the South African Republic (a state created by Afrikaners in what is now north-eastern South Africa), from 1883 to 1902. The province has several national parks. The largest, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. 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. 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. The entertainment and casino complex at Sun City and Lost City also contributes to the provincial economy.

The provincial government consists of a premier, an executive council of ten ministers, and a legislature. The provincial assembly and premier are elected for five-year terms, or until the next national election. Political parties are awarded assembly seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives in the province during the national elections. The assembly elects a premier, who then appoints the members of the executive council.

Coordinates: 26°09′S, 26°10′E