THE PROVINCE

archaeological sites

graves

forts

bushman paintings

battlefields

historic buildings

national monuments.

Of particular note:

Taung World Heritage Site

Cradle of Humankind
World Heritage Site
(shared with neighbour Gauteng).

Heritage Resources

Heritage resources trace the fabric of the country's heritage all the way back to the dawn of humankind. Sites such as the Taung Heritage Site and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (shared with bordering Gauteng) signify the depth of the history represented in the North West Province.

Stone Age history

Stone Age history, as a heritage resource, is well represented in the province and includes sites such as Kruger Cave. However, it is especially the rock art associated with the Later Stone Age of the Province that is well known, including the Bosworth Rock Engraving site near Klerksdorp and the Thaba Sione near Mafikeng. Thaba Sione consists of more than 559 rock engravings, with especially predominant depictions of rhinoceros.

Iron Age sites

Iron Age sites are also common in the province of which a good example is the stone-walled settlement of Kaditshwene in the Madikwe area. This site was a major city of the Bahurutshe between 1600 and 1823, which was documented to be larger than Cape Town at that time.

battlefields

South Africa's often-tumultuous recent past is also well represented in the Province, including battlefields from the South African War such as the Battle of Silkaatsnek (11 July 1900). Numerous forts, graves and blockhouses from this period, are also fairly widespread.

Other heritage resources

Other heritage resources more recently recognised in the Province include the piece of land where Sol Plaatjie lived, called Seweding, as well as Maratiwa, the home and surgery of the well-known politician, surgeon, poet and writer, Dr Seetsele Modiri Molema in Mafikeng.

The condition of the known cultural heritage resources found within North West Province is deemed to be fairly good, however it is believed that a large portion of the cultural heritage resources of the province remain unknown.

Some of the more important heritage sites include Kaditshwene and Taung Heritage Site which are developed for tourism purposes, and The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, partly located in the North West Province and neighbouring Gauteng.

Selected heritage sites & landscapes IN THE North West Province

MMABATHO / MAFIKENG

Maratiwa House

Built by Silas Molema (the son of the founder of Mahikeng) who also built the first school in the area in 1878. The house was occupied by Sol T Plaatjie, a writer, journalist, politician and first Secretary General of the ANC. Declared a National Monument.

Seweding

The piece of land on which Sol Plaatjie lived. It comprises the remains of his house, well, kraal and pepper trees planted by him.

Mahikeng Methodist Church

Built in 1885 in the original tribal town of Mahikeng by General Sir Charles Warren.

Kgotla of the Barolong Boo Ratshidi

Mahikeng tribal Kgotla of Chief Montshiwa has been in use since the 1850's. It contains a monument to Barolong who died in action during the Mahikeng Siege of 1899-1900.

Dr Modiri Molema's home & surgery

Dr Molema is a great writer, historian, intellectual & son of Silas Molema.

Moshoeshoe Graves

The graves of Philemon Moshoeshoe and his wife - founders of the suburb of Ramosadi.

Molema Cemetery

Graves of local historical figures, including Dr Molema.

Battle Of Tigela Site

31 June 1884 saw the largest battle of the Bechuanaland War between Barolong and Goshenites. 67 Bangwaketse were buried here. Declared a National Monument.

Rowlands Cemetery

The cemetery includes the grave of Christopher Bethell. Bethell was the nephew of General Sir Charles. He married into the Montshiwa family, was killed in the battle of Tigela and became known as a hero of the Barolong.

Cannon Koppie (Makane)

Goshenites launched an artillery attack on Mafikeng from here in 1882. The British held this fort during the Anglo Boer War Siege of Mafikeng.

Warren Fort

Built by General Sir Charles Warren in 1885 to protect the Barolong. The fort was captured for a day by Commandant Eloff towards the end of the Siege of Mafikeng.

Warren Well

Built in 1885 by Warren's Royal Engineers.

Warren Weir

A stonewall was built in 1885 by Warren to form a small reservoir on the Molopo River to provide water for horses and livestock.

Siege Graves

Mafikeng Cemetery - the military and civilian graves of siege casualties.

St John's Church

An Anglican church designed by Sir Herbert Baker and built in 1902.

Mafikeng Museum

An Old Town Hall built in 1902. Impressive steel ceilings, old town clock and elaborate architectural style.

Manyane

Three small rock engravings near Molopo River about 15km east of Mmabatho.

DINOKANA IN LEHURUTSHE

Ikalafeng Monument

The monument was built in 1867 by the Bahurutshe of Chief Ikalafeng on the orders of General Pretorius to symbolise peace.

Dinokana Church

An old Lutheran Church (around 1890) with an interesting interior - brass candelabra, ornately carved wooden pulpit and canopy. Outside is a small bell tower, made in Germany in 1885 and inscribed in Setswana and German.

The Old Lutheran Mission

The graves of the first missionaries, the Jansens, are here.

Dinokana Springs

The springs are an attractive and interesting geological feature.

MALMANI NEAR OTTOSHOOP

Malmani Farmhouse

The farmhouse contains the Gubbins Africana collection.

Mzilikazi's Wall

This 1 km long stone wall was built by Mzilikazi in the 1830's along the Malmani River to act as a 'hopo' or animal trap.

Old Water Mill

The oldest water mill in the Old Transvaal, restored and in working condition.

Malmani Store Ruins

Tthe store used by Dr Jameson as rendezvous with his forces from Pitsane & Mafikeng.

Mosega

Mzilikazi's military Headquarters in the 1830's - the battle of Mosega, 17 January 1837.

Gopane (Mabotsa)

David Livingston's first mission station 1834-1846. There is a stone monument and ruins.

MADIKWE AREA

Kaditshwene / Gaditshwene Ruins (Tshwenyane Hills)

This is the largest Iron Age stone-built city in South Africa. In 1820 this city was larger than Cape Town. It was the manufacturing, trading and cultural capital of the Bahurutshe from before 1600 to 1823.

Silkatskop / Egabeni

Mzilikazi's camp attacked by Potgieter in November 1837 forcing Mzilikazi to migrate north to Zimbabwe.

Marula Kop

A hill-top stone-placing which dates from an Iron Age settlement with stone terracing.

Abjaterskop And Dwarsberg Hills

Numerous ancient iron and copper mines, and many Iron Age stone-built settlements.

Bosman's School

A school built in the 1920's, where HC Bosman (writer) taught, near Abjaterskop.

Derdepoort

Limestone cave/s which are largely unexplored. A battle site of the Anglo Boer War.

Jacobsdal

An Iron Age settlement excavated by Revil Mason, near Mosega.

Khunwana

The Barolong capital in 1820's to 1830's and the site of two battles of Difaqane in 1823 and 1832. On 6 August 1832, the town was attacked by Mzilikazi's Ndebele, thus precipitating the Barolong migrations. Sol Plaatjie based his novel, Mhudi, on this event.

Kraaipan

Kraaipan is the site of the first engagement of the Anglo Boer War, 12 October 1899. The monument is near the railway crossing.

Thaba Sione

A well-known rock engraving site near Khunwana and Kraaipan.

HARTEBEESPOORT DAM AND THE MAGALIESBERG

Lesedi Cultural Village

Visitors can experience the cultural diversity in the traditional architecure, dance and song of some of the many people of the province.

Broederstroom

Olifantspoort - an early Iron Age settlement dating to AD 500

RUSTENBURG, BRITS, PILANESBERG

Late Iron Age

This area is well known for its vast treasure of archaeological Iron Age settlements that are scattered between Brits and Rustenburg and to Pilanesberg in the north.

Molokwane

To the west of Rustenburg lies this late Iron Age settlement occupied by the Bakwena Bamodimosana tribe between 1650 and 1770. It covers and area of some 4km square.

Boekenhoutfontein

Farm of Paul Kruger, President of the old ZAR around 1900

National Monuments

Preller House, 491 Welgegund Street, Rustenburg

Syringa Tree Stump, Church Street, Rustenburg

The Old Anglican Church, Van Staden Street, Rustenburg

Nederduitse Gereformeerde Church, Plein Street, Rustenburg

Old Lutheran Church, Kroondal, Rustenburg District

Old Library, Kroondal, Rustenburg District

The Schoch House, Boschdal, Rustenburg District

POTCHEFSTROOM, KLERKSDORP, STILLFONTEIN AND FOCHVILLE

Potchefstroom

The Gereformeerde Church Complex, Molen Street. One of the oldest Reformed churches in South Africa dating to 1891

National Monuments in Potchefstroom

Old Fort And Cemetery

Old Powder Magazine House, Wolmarans Street

Administration Building & Selbourne Hall, Potchefstroom Agricultural College

Nederduitse Hervormde Church, Church Street

Tom Street, lined by 700 oak trees

Residence and outbuildings of late president MW Pretorius, first president of the old ZAR

Superintendent's residence at the Witrand Care & Rehabilitation Centre

The property with the alleged Voortrekker Fort Theron, Elandsfontein, Potchefstroom district

Krugerskraal, Tygerfontein, Potchefstroom district

The main building and Heimat building, on the campus of the Potchefstroom University

The Goetz-Fleischack House, Gouws Street

W.D. Pretorius House, Church Street

Old Magistrates Court, Greyling Street

St. Mary's Anglican Church Building, Auto Street

Police Station Building, Greyling Street

Old Post Office Building, Greyling Street

174 Lombard Street

76 Lombard Street

The Andrew Carnegie Library and Town Hall, Potgieter Street

Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Church Building, Maury Avenue

The northern wing of the Nutrition & Family Ecology Building of the Potchefstroom University

The property with the old Berlin mission complex thereon, including the church building, parsonage, school building and Carraige House, De Plooy Street

Klerksdorp

Rock engravings, Bosworth and Doornhoek - National Monument

Station Building & Flag Room, Delver Street - National Monument

Fountain Villa, a dwelling-house, 21 Hendrik Potgieter Street - National Monument

Iron House, 13 & 15 Convent Avenue - National Monument

Dutch Reformed Mother Church, Anderson Street - National Monument

Goud Koppie 19th century mining shaft & rock inscriptions - Anglo Boer War British regiment

Klerksdorp Museum

Formerly a prison, exhibiting early town life, archaeology and social history

Old Cemetery

Cemetery for British soldiers and Boer women and children who died during the Anglo Boer War

Railway Station

Dating back to 1897 - National Monument

Fochville

Theron Memorial

A memorial to Boer Scout Danie Theron who was killed in 1900 during an engagement with a British detachment. The memorial is some 8 km west of the town on the N12.

Tlokwe Ruins

The ruins of early Tswana stone kraals located in the hills around the town

Voortrekker Plaque

Marks an early Voortrekker fortification of 1842. Southwest of the Theron Memorial.

TAUNG, WOLMARANSSTAD AND CHRISTIANA

Taung

Mmabana Cultural Centre

A modern social and educational centre offering locally produced arts and crafts.

Taung Heritage site at Buxton

An archaeological site where the "Taung child" skull of a 2,4 million year old early hominid Australopithicus africanus was discovered in 1924 in a limestone mine.

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Dinkwaneng

Near the village of Manthestad are some excellent examples of San rock art.

Wolmaransstad

Ruins of Rev. Broadbent- Hodson's House

Leeuwfontein

This early Wesleyan Mission Station dates back to the first missionary outreaches in the area.

Thomas Leask House

An early town house where Paul Kruger once stayed

Christiana

Diggers Museum

Mining equipment & rare photographic displays of the early mining history of the town

Stowlands

Unusual San rock art sites located some 6km from town

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR BATTLES

Battle of Kraaipan - 12 October 1899
Siege of Mafikeng - 14 October 1899
Battle of Molopo River - 25 November 1899
Battle of Derdepoort - 26 November 1899
Game Tree Fort - British abortive attack on Mafikeng 26 December 1899
Ambush at Kaya-se-put - 19 January 1900
Mahon's relief column sets out for Mafikeng - 4 May 1900
Boer forces commanded by Eloff driven back at Mafikeng 12 May 1900
Relief of Mafikeng - 17 May 1900
British occupy Lichtenburg - 1 June 1900
Christiaan de Wet defeats British at Roodewal - 7 Jun 1900
Surrender of Scots Greys at Silkatsnek - 11 July 1900
Battle of Elands River - 4 August 1900
Battle of Tygerfontein - 7 August 1900
De la Rey & Smuts attack Clements at Nooitgedacht - 13 August 1900
Release of 2000 British prisoners at Nooitgedacht - 30 August 1900
Battle of Frederikstad - 20 to 25 October 1900
Battle of Buffelspoort - 3 December 1900
Smuts captures Modderfontein - 31 January 1901
De la Rey attacks Lichtenburg - 2 and 3 March 1901
Battle of Ysterspruit 25 February 1901
De la Rey out-manoeuvers Methuen at Tweebosch/De Klipdrift - 7 March 1901

Battle of Boschbult - 31 March 1901

Battle of Roodewa - 11 April 1901

Natural Heritage

The North West Province is blessed with an array of natural heritage sites and landscapes.

Some of the more well known examples include the Magaliesberg Mountain Range in the east of the province and Barberspan in the central region, a declared RAMSAR site.