Mokopane

Mokopane Potgietersrus
Mokopane is located in Limpopo Mokopane  Mokopane shown within Limpopo
Coordinates:
Country	South Africa
Province	Limpopo
District	Waterberg
Municipality	Mogalakwena
Established	{{#property:P571}}
Area
• Total	75.13 km2 (29.01 sq mi)
Elevation	1,130 m (3,710 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	30,151
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	66.7%
• Coloured	0.7%
• Indian/Asian	4.4%
• White	27.6%
• Other	0.6%
First languages (2011)
• Northern Sotho	46.5%
• Afrikaans	27.8%
• English	7.4%
• Tsonga	4.4%
• Other	13.8%
Postal code (street)	0600
PO box	0600
Area code	+27 (0)15

Mokopane (officially renamed from Potgietersrus in 2003), is a town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The village Vredenburg was established by the Voortrekkers and renamed Piet Potgietersrust after the slain Voortrekker leader Piet Potgieter. The name was changed to Mokopane in 2003 in honour of King Mgombane Kekana who resided on the land and ruled the area before he was overthrown and killed by the Voortrekkers. It is home to Northern Ndebele-speaking people, English-, Afrikaans-, Northern Sotho-, and XiTsonga-speakers. Five kingdoms in the vicinity of the town are Kekana (Moshate), Langa (Mapela), Lebelo (Garasvlei) and Langa (Bakenburg).

There is an interest from the Northern Ndebele people (SeNdrebele in the language itself) to revive their language, many want to read and write their own language. The SeNdrebele language is spoken by over half of the community members in Moshate and Mosesetjane villages. Two hours from Gauteng by road, the town acts as a getaway destination and as a stop-over for travelers en route to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park. The area is typical bushveld with many acacia trees and aloes, which display their beautiful blooms in June and July. The Mokopane area is one of South Africa's richest agricultural areas, producing wheat, tobacco, cotton, beef, maize, peanuts and citrus. The Zebediela Citrus Estate, 55 km to the southeast, is one of the largest citrus farms in the southern hemisphere. The area is rich in minerals with the mining of platinum, diamonds and granite.

Prehistory and history

The historic and archaeologically significant Makapansgat caves are situated 15 km north of the town. Recovery of Homo habilis habitation has been made at these caves. Remains of Australopithecus africanus have also been found at the caves. The Arend Dieperink Museum portrays the history of the town, from the ape-man at Makapansgat, Bushmen paintings and early activities in the area up to the Anglo Boer War and recent times.

Culture

The stunning bushveld environment and influences from Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, SeSotho, Afrikaans and English cultures give Mokopane a unique character. There are also ancient caves, the "Big Five", San rock paintings, curios, bushveld food and drinks such as biltong (dried meat) and mampoer (a potent drink), tropical gardens and traditional dancing. In the adjacent township of Mahwelereng traditional lifestyles, set against the spectacular Waterberg, can be observed. Mokopane also offers outdoor activities ranging from hiking, camping and 4 × 4 trails to birding, angling and game viewing.

Economy

The economy of Mokopane used to be basically farming, until the opening of Anglo American's platinum mine. Currently the mine is the biggest contributor to the economy. Recently there has been interest displayed by other mining companies to start up, but community resistance around mining remains the main reason for the slow growth in mining.

See also

• Makapansgat pebble
• Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre

External links

• Mogalakwena municipality infosite; accessed 27 August 2014.