Interesting facts about the area
Rustenburg
Rustenburg, comes from the Afrikaans and Dutch words meaning “Town of Rest”, is a city situated at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range in the North West Province. The town was established in 1851 as an administrative centre for a fertile farming area producing citrus fruit, tobacco, peanuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle. Languages spoken in this area are Afrikaans, Tswana, English and Sotho.
Platinum mining began in Rustenburg in 1929, shortly after the discovery of the Platinum Reef by Hans Merensky, later named the Merensky Reef. The town has been transformed from a region recognised around the world since the 19th century for its natural springs and healing environment into one of the most polluted environments in the late 20th and early 21st century.
Rustenburg has a temperate humid subtropical climate, although it may be defined tropical by some sources. It has very warm summers and mild winters.
There are a multitude of sites with cultural and historical significance in and around Rustenburg. This is no surprise, given the many different communities in the area, such as the indigenous Bafokeng, Bakgatla and Botswana tribes, whose totemic tribal traditions are of much interest. The area also has archaeological remains from the Iron Age and Stone Age.
Rustenburg is reported to be the fastest growing city in South Africa. It is home to the two largest platinum mines in the world and the world’s largest platinum refinery which processes around 70% of the world’s platinum
Rustenburg was / is the home town of:
- Platinum Stars – professional football club
- Andre Stander – bank robber
- Sunette Viljoen – javelin thrower
- Pik Botha – politician and foreign minister (1977 – 1990)
- Esta Terblanche – actress
- Bettie Cilliers-Barnard – painter
- John Cranko – ballet choreographer
Tourism
| Kgaswane Game Reserve | Madikwe Game Reserve |
| Groot Marico Park | Pilanesberg Game Reserve |
| Sun City and Lost City |