Vanwyksvlei

Vanwyksvlei

A road in Vanwyksvlei
Vanwyksvlei
Vanwyksvlei
Vanwyksvlei

 Vanwyksvlei shown within Northern Cape

Coordinates: 30°21′S 21°49′E / 30.350°S 21.817°E / -30.350; 21.817Coordinates: 30°21′S 21°49′E / 30.350°S 21.817°E / -30.350; 21.817
Country South Africa
Province Northern Cape
District Pixley ka Seme
Municipality Kareeberg
Area[1]
 • Total 2.66 km2 (1.03 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 1,721
 • Density 650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 2.3%
 • Coloured 92.5%
 • Indian/Asian 0.9%
 • White 4.0%
 • Other 0.3%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Afrikaans 97.7%
 • Other 2.3%
Postal code (street) 8922
PO box 8922

Vanwyksvlei or Van Wyk's Vlei (Afrikaans for Van Wyk's Marsh) is a small town in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

Name

The town is named after a farmer called Van Wyk, and the Afrikaans suffix vlei, meaning 'pond', 'marsh'. Ironically this is one of the driest places in South Africa, and the surrounding region is named the Dorsland (Afrikaans for Thirstland).[2]

History

Vanwyksvlei was founded in 1881.[3] It later saw action in the Second Boer War where two Victoria Crosses were awarded; Harry Hampton and Henry Knight were awarded the medal for gallant acts.

Vanwyksvlei Dam

The Vanwyksvlei Dam was the first (1882) state-funded dam build in South Africa.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Vanwyksvlei". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ Information on Van Wyk's Vlei
  3. ↑ http://www.routes.co.za/nc/vanwyksvlei/index.html
  4. ↑

See also

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