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Potchefstroom, North West
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Potchefstroom is a large academic town with the North-West University (previously known as Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education), situated on the banks of the Mooirivier (Afrikaans for 'pretty (or beautiful) river'), 120 km west-southwest of Johannesburg in the North West Province of South Africa. The town's municipality wants to rename Potchefstroom to Tlokwe, although many residents oppose the change.
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The town, founded in 1838 by the Voortrekkers, is the second oldest settlement of people of European descent in the then Transvaal; the oldest being the neighbouring city of Klerksdorp. It served as the first capital of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek (ZAR) (South African Republic in English). Also, for a short time during the 1840s, the towns of Potchefstroom and Winburg as well as their surrounding territories were joined in a political entity known as the Republic of Winburg-Potchefstroom. Voortrekker leader Andries Hendrik Potgieter was elected as head of the republic.
On the 16 December 1880, the first shots of the First Boer War were fired when the Boers laid siege to the old fort. The siege ended amicably on 23 March 1881. The British built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War to house Boer women, children and elderly men.
The town is also host to the annual Aardklop Festival, a (mostly) Afrikaans arts festival held in late September each year.
The Potchefstroom municipality, which encompasses several neighbouring settlements, has a population of 128,357, according to the 2001 Census. Of these, 70.5% were African, 22.7% White, 6.4% Coloured and 0.4% Asian. The white population is likely to have been undercounted, a general problem with the 2001 Census figures.
Today Potchefstroom is known as the City of Expertise and is home to, inter alia, five tertiary institutions and 30 schools, as well as numerous research bureaus and training centres.
The North-West University is a merged tertiary educational institution that was created on 1 January 2004, with campuses at Potchefstroom, Mafikeng, Vanderbijlpark and Mankwe. The Potchefstroom Campus (formerly the Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys, founded in 1869) is the largest and the head office of the University is situated there. With its merged status, the North-West University became one of the bigger universities in South Africa with approximately 32 000 students (full-time and distance education students).
The Potchefstoom College of Education, originally the Normal College, was founded in 1919. Initially the College was housed in galvanised iron buildings on the same premises as the Potchefstroom High School for Boys, and it moved to its present location in 1923.
The Technical College Potchefstroom came into existence in 1939 when the Union Education Department started "continuation classes". The annual increase in student numbers bears testimony to the important role played by this tertiary body.
The Agricultural Centre, previously known as the Experimental Farm (1902) and Agricultural College (1939), is currently the largest single agricultural service point on one terrain in Southern Africa. The centre houses the headquarters of the Highveld Region of the Department Agriculture, the Grain Crops Institute as well as the Agricultural College with its modern training facilities.
Potchefstroom Akademie was founded in 1981 by managing director Tina Schöltz - internationally known for her expertise in the field of health and skincare therapy. The Academy has grown to become one of the largest private institutions of its kind in the country and offers tertiary education Somatology, Health and Skincare Therapy, Holistic Health Therapies as well as Interior Design and Decorating.
One of the landmarks of Potchefstroom is the High School for boys that was established in 1874 although it has been on its currrent site since 1905. The school is steeped in tradition and excellence and has produced over 60 international sportsmen, including the likes of Heziekel Sepeng. Potchefstroom would not be Potchefstroom without "College" boys in town with their full school uniform and bashers.
One of the leading Afrikaans High schools in the country. The school was founded in January 1907 as "Die Voorbereidende Skool" with HJJ van der Walt as its first principal. The preparation work which the schools did was in getting young men ready for theological studies. On 25 January 1915, the school changed its name to Goeverement Skool. A year later it became the first school to start using Afrikaans as well as Dutch and English, making it the first Afrikaans High school north of the Vaal river.
In 1918 it became solely a high school and changed its name to Potchefstroom Gimnasium. Established in 1907 as part of the Potchestroom University the school later moved to its current location.
Potchefstroom is known as the North-West Province's "Home of Sport". The provincial headquarters of 17 of the most important sports are situated in the city. The City Council places a high priority on the establishment, maintenance and upgrading of the sport facilities under its control, especially to meet the variety of sporting and recreational needs of its youthful community. The Mooi River trails as well as other trails add extra colour and variety to these facilities available to resident and tourist alike.
Both these Western Transvaal sports headquarters were laid out in 1892. Olën Park, named after Charlie Olën, former president of the West Province and offers the rugby enthusiast matches up to international level. As from 1995 soccer matches are also played at this venue.
The Oval was named after Kenneth McArthur, the Potchefstroom policeman who in 1912 was awarded a gold medal for winning the marathon at the Olympic Games. The high standard of illumination at the grounds makes the televising of large permit meetings possible.
Situated on the banks of the Potchefstroom Dam in the Mooi River, offers chalets, a caravan park, a variety of facilities and entertainment such as water sports, angling, a swimming pool and a supertube.
The site of a meteorite impact some 2 000 million years ago. A fascinating geographic phenomenon in that it is different in shape and vegetation from its surrounding areas. Creating the richest gold reef in the world, many trails take visitors to this remarkable natural feature and many activities are on offer, including hiking, riverrafting, canoeing, mountain climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and fly fishing.
Yachting takes place on the waters of this dam.
The complete history of human experience and interaction in the area is covered by this museum.
The city has many buildings and other structures that have been declared national monuments, such as: The Old Gunpowder House, Old Police Station Building, Kruger Kraal Opstal, Heimat Building, Magistrate's Office.
Newly reformed mosque (2007) in the heart of the town added more value for muslim people living in the town and its surroundings. New reformed two storied mosque is air-conditioned and nicely covered the floors with beautiful and expensive carpets. It is a nice meeting place for muslim people, who are living in this area, especially on Friday during weekly prayer.
The country's oldest Reformed Churches and its oldest stone-built Hervormde Church are found in the town. St Mary's Anglican Church, built in 1891, is notable for its magnificent stained glass windows. The Church burnt down in July 2007
10 km running along side the Mooi River in the centre of the city, hosts the 18-hole country club, twice the venue for South African Open tournaments.nb,nb,m
Which attracts bird lovers from far and wide to its +- 200 bird species.
Buffelsvlei has the following activities available: Game drives with or without guide, hiking, bicycle riding, horse riding, swimming, clay-pigeon shooting, biltong and trophy hunting. There is a volleyball court, a bar with DSTV and a pool table, picnic and braai facilities.
The stately City Hall in Edwardian Classicistic design was inaugurated in 1909. Together with the City Hall of Krugersdorp it is the oldest existing City Hall north of the Vaal River in South Africa. The western façade is strictly symmetrical with the 26 m-high ornamental, domed tower as a central axis. The clockwork and bell with its Westminster chimes were manufactured in the Netherlands.
The Trim Park is situated in the Green Belt area adjacent to the Mooi River. This natural paradise through which the Mooi River trail meanders, is a delightful recreational area and has lately also developed as an ideal venue for shows and other festivities.
Potchefstroom is an important industrial growth point of North West Province. Potchindustria houses, inter alia, steel, food and chemical industries which concentrate on delivering locally, nationally an internationally. Increasing interest and investment, even by foreign industrialists, reflect the vitality and potential of this sector. The City Council's marketing program is geared towards paying special attention to each new investor and presenting the best package to suit his needs.
Apart from sports and recreational activities , the city offers a rich variety of entertainment. The Sanlam Auditorium of the North-West University serves as theatre for the city and neighboring towns. Performances to a large extent meet the cultural needs of the community. Local and other artists of high caliber perform regularly in the well-equipped venues. Student life contributes greatly to the entertainment program of the community.
Despite the town's conservative image and ultra conservative history, a surprisingly large community exists in town, mostly among the students.
A monthly activity which has become a familiar sight in the City Council gardens. A colourful and gay atmosphere is created by the exhibitions of a wide variety of home industries. The market gives residents and tourists the opportunity to make interesting purchases.
The city's business centre comprises a variety of commercial firms, including shopping centres of large chain store groups, as well as office space for the numerous professional services. The Kerk Street semi-pedestrian mall adds a colourful character to the business centre which makes every visit a highly enjoyable experience.
The Bult is synomymous with the student community of Potchefstroom and offers a wide variety of restaurants and pubs as part of its business centre. These include Beef Boys (a popular steak house), Ommihoek (supposedly where the town's young philosophers congregate), Bourbon Street (infamous for their local drink 'Gummiberry'), Castillions (the closest thing to a real pub on the Bult) and Pablo's Bistro.
As a national monument the Oak Avenue which is 6,84km long, contributes to the picturesque atmosphere of Tom Street in the Bult area. The trees, planted in 1910, cover an area from the Agricultural College to the Lakeside Holiday Resort. Despite Stellenbosch being known as the "City of Oaks", Potchefstroom actually has more of these trees.
The headquarters of the NWC is situated in Potchefstroom and also accentuates the important role which the city plays with regard to the activities of the South African National Defence Force in North West Province.
The Witrand Mental Institute in Potchefstroom was the second Government institution for mental defectives and was opened in 1923. The first one, Valkenberg was opened at Maitland in the Cape.