HERITAGE RESOURCES
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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 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. 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 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 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 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 Mmabana Cultural Centre A modern social and educational centre offering locally produced arts and crafts. 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. Dinkwaneng Near the village of Manthestad are some excellent examples of San rock art. 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 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 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. |
HERITAGE |
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3 World Heritage Sites |
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Cultural Heritage |
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Heritage Resources |
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Culture & Heritage |
CULTURAL VILLAGES | |
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Motseng |
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Lesedi |
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Gaabo Motho |
CULTURAL RESOURCES |
| The North West Province has a rich variety of cultural resources |
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Of particular note are:
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Archaeological sites
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All rights Reserved.Published by Linx Africa Date of entry: 10 June 1997 Updated: 31st July 2010 |