White River, Mpumalanga

White River Witrivier
Street in White River
White River Show map of Mpumalanga White River Show map of South Africa White River Show map of Africa  White River shown within Mpumalanga
Coordinates: 25°19′S 31°01′E / 25.317°S 31.017°E / -25.317; 31.017Coordinates: 25°19′S 31°01′E / 25.317°S 31.017°E / -25.317; 31.017
Country	South Africa
Province	Mpumalanga
District	Ehlanzeni
Municipality	Mbombela
Area[1]
• Total	60.55 km2 (23.38 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	16,639
• Density	270/km2 (710/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
• Black African	32.5%
• Coloured	4.3%
• Indian/Asian	2.5%
• White	60.3%
• Other	0.4%
First languages (2011)[1]
• Afrikaans	42.2%
• English	28.7%
• Swazi	16.1%
• Tsonga	3.0%
• Other	10.0%
Postal code (street)	1240
PO box	1240

White River (Afrikaans: Witrivier) is a small holiday and farming town situated just north of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The farms in the region produce tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers and timber. After the Boer War the British demarcated land on the Emanzimhlope River, a tributary of the Crocodile River. Emanzimhlope is Swazi for White Waters. The land was used to demobilise British soldiers and the first manager of the settlement was Tom Lawrence (snr), after whom the longest street in the town is still named.

The farming tradition of the community that settled here after the Anglo-Boer War has remained virtually unchanged to this day. Lord Milner's (administrator of the defeated Transvaal) attache, the aforementioned Tom Lawrence, demarcated land on the 'Emanzimhlope' - a tributary of the Crocodile River whose name translates from the Swazi as 'White Waters' - to demobilised British Anglo-Boer War soldiers.

After a 26 km canal to channel water from the river was built, the new settlers planted trees and established new cultivation methods. The agriculture involves largely the production of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers and timber and tobacco, and is one of the most fertile in the province.

White River, with three irrigation dams and a number of nearby forest, is a popular holiday destination for those looking to visit the Crocodile River Valley, and the town has a reputation for its arts and crafts. One of the attractions for the Art scene is Casterbridge lifestyle center situated on the outskirts of the city. Once a Mango plantation it now sports a Cinema, art exhibitions in its various art galleries, Theater Plays, Concerts, A vintage Motor Museum and various restaurants.^[2] Within the town is the Hoërskool Rob Ferreira High School.

White River lies 20 km north of Nelspruit not far from the border with Kruger National Park. White River has a population of 15,954 and is located in an area of considerable scenic beauty. Compared to other parts of South Africa, the climate is neither excessively hot in summer when rainfall is at its highest, nor overly cold during the sunny winters. The farms tend to be relatively small but the agriculture is intensive with tropical and citrus fruits in abundance, and vegetables and cut flowers readily available.

White River is 46 km from Hazyview, one of the easiest access points to the World Famous Kruger National Park.

References