Mzanzi Travel - Local Travel Inspiration (Issue 5)

Discover South Africa
Much to Do
Technologically and commercially it has not stayed behind. It is home to
modern, bustling yet less-rushed cities like Upington, De Aar and Kimberley.
A variety of mining activities from copper to diamonds and iron are spread
across the province. Its agriculture is dominated by sheep farms and vineyards.
Located in the south at Sutherland is the Southern African Large Telescope
(SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. And
at De Aar, a major railway junction serving Southern Africa, one also finds the
biggest solar energy plant in Africa and the southern hemisphere.
For holidaymakers and tourists the province offers almost unlimited choice.
These range from beach and boating holidays along the coast, to 4X4
discoveries in the rugged Richtersveld; white-water rafting or kayaking down
the Orange River; visiting the floral kingdom of Namaqualand; wine-tasting on
the estates along the Orange River; an abundance of activities for adrenaline
junkies; visiting the many museums and historical sites such as the old mission
stations with their beautiful churches, or the Big Hole and the reconstructed
mining town museum at Kimberley; submerging yourself into the silence
and vastness of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is bigger than many
countries; visiting the cultural heritage of the Riemvasmaak Community
Conservancy; being awed by the diverse natural beauty of more than twelve
national parks and nature reserves; or indulging in game drives that will bring
you up close with rhino, zebra, giraffes, black-mane lion, leopard, cheetah,
African wild dog, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, eland,
kudu, gemsbok and the iconic springbok.
The province is divided into five distinct regions: Diamond Fields, Green
Kalahari, Kalahari, Karoo and Namakwa.
Diamond Fields
The focal point of this region is obviously Kimberley, its Big Hole and its
diamond mining history. The city is also the province’s capital. Here some
50,000 diggers once worked more than 3,600 diamond claims. What remains
of the early tent town today, is a modern city boasting an open mining museum
in which the early mining town is replicated next to the Big Hole, as well as many
old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries
recalling that bygone era.
By 1873 the tents were starting to be replaced by the mansions of magnates
who had made their fortunes here, and the city was named Kimberley after the
Earl of Kimberley, British Secretary of State for the Colonies. And by 1900 five
big holes had already been dug, as well as a number of smaller mines to reach
the fabulous wealth locked in the blue diamond-bearing Kimberlite pipes.
Gradually the tents, brothels, bars, boarding houses, loan shark dens and other
less desirable enterprises made way for a more normal city life.
The city has also known war and was besieged by Boer forces for four months
during the second Anglo-Boer War, trapping the mining magnate and Cape
premier Cecil John Rhodes within its confines. Furthermore, the area contains
The Square Kilometre Array project…part of the world’s largest intercontinental radio-telescope/ Image supplied by Northern Cape Tourism
MZANZI TRAVEL| www.mzanzitravel.co.za|ISSUE 5 | 21