Opportunity Issue 97

Welcome to South Africa’s
fabled diamond fields
Frances Baard District Municipality is nestled in the north-eastern corner of the Northern Cape Province,
and contains four local municipalities, namely Sol Plaatje, Dikgatlong, Magareng and Phokwane Municipality.
In 1870 diamond diggers proclaimed it the Republic of Klipdrift.
Other towns in the area include Delportshoop, Longlands, Kutlwano,
Sydney on Vaal, Ulco and Windsorton. Dikgatlong is the site of the
first alluvial diamond digging in the region and is renowned for its
excellent fly-fishing spots and luxury game lodges. The adventurous
are encouraged to go in search of the Gong-Gong waterfall on the
Vaal where the quiet river suddenly tumbles into a gully and fills
out into a tranquil pool.
PROFILE
SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY
This municipality is named after the first secretary-general of the
African National Congress and writer, Solomon “Sol” Plaatje. At
the heart of Sol Plaatje Municipality is the bright metropolis of
Kimberley, the capital city of the Northern Cape. The municipality
also includes the towns of Modder River, Ritchie, Riverton,
Beaconsfield, Kenilworth, Ronald’s Vlei and Spytfontein.
Kimberley is a diverse city with a vibrant, colourful history. The
city is renowned for its Big Hole and Mine Museum, the largest
excavated hole on earth, and important archaeological discoveries;
Kamfers Dam, a wetland that supports the largest permanent
population of lesser flamingos; Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre, a
premier rock art centre with over 400 San rock engravings; and
the sprawling and vibrant Galeshewe Township, the first and oldest
township in South Africa.
MAGARENG MUNICIPALITY
The name Magareng is a Setswana word meaning “The Middle” and
is derived from the fact that this region is literally in the middle of
the country. Warrenton is an agricultural town located 70km north
of Kimberley on the Vaal River and is the administrative centre of
the municipality.
Diamonds were first discovered in Warrenton in 1888. The town
was originally known as Stanger’s Rest, then Fourteen Streams, but
was finally named Warrenton after Charles Warren in 1880.
PHOKWANE MUNICIPALITY
Phokwane embraces Hartswater, Pampierstad and Jan Kempdorp,
originally named Andalusia. Hartswater is home to Olives South
Africa and boasts a variety of nuts and local wines from Hartswater
Wine Cellar. The town offers accommodation, leisure activities and
historical attractions such as the burial site of Chief Galeshewe and
the Women’s Memorial building. The town of Jan Kempdorp hosts
two World War II concentration camps and lies in the heart of the
Vaalharts Valley and irrigation area.
DIKGATLONG MUNICIPALITY
Dikgatlong is a Setswana name meaning “confluence”, referring to
the place where the Harts and Vaal Rivers flow into one another.
The hub of Dikgatlong Local Municipality, Barkly West, was founded
as a mission village in an area known as Pniel, “Face of God”.
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FRANCES BAARD DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
Tel: +27 (0) 53 838 0911 | www.visitdiamondfields.co.za