Rustenburg

Rustenburg is situated in North West Province and is a gatew

Rustenburg is situated some 112 km northwest of Johannesburg, at the foot of the Magaliesberg. Rustenburg was founded in 1851 by burghers who, with the Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, had settled in the area a decade earlier.

Rustenburg is the third oldest town of the former Transvaal Province and offers numerous places of interest. Its jacaranda tree-lined streets are the hub of a thriving agricultural and mining industry.

The Royal Bafokeng Nation of Rustenburg comprise a population of 3 million people. The Royal Bafokeng are members of the Setswana-speaking indigenous community and rose to some prominence during the 1980s when they demanded compensation and royalties from mining companies who were mining platinum in the area.

Given the natural bushveld vegetation that covers the entire area and with the added attraction of the Magaliesberg Mountain range, this region has much to offer the ecotourist. It is a natural game area with a number of fine game parks. The Pilannesberg National Park which boasts the “Big Five” is situated in the crater of a huge extinct volcano formed over 1300 million years ago. Game viewing, overnight camps, walking trails and hunting trips are all available. The Rustenburg Nature Reserve offers hiking trails in the Magaliesberg with it's abundant birdlife and fauna and flora. Rustenburg being one of the oldest towns in the province is well established with many fine holiday resorts. The region is also home to the famous Sun City with it's Lost City Palace Hotel, boasting two championship golf courses, four hotels, numerous restaurants, live cabaret and a glittering casino which together with a myriad of other attractions, make this resort one of the finest in the world. There is also a large variety of historical and cultural interests to be found in the area such as the German community of Kroondal that dates back to 1857, the indigenous Bafokeng, Bakgatla and Botswana tribes with their totemic and other tribal traditions. Many past battles have been fought in the districts of Koster, Swartruggens and Rustenburg during the Anglo Boer War and other ethnic wars. Prominent battlefields, memorial graves and ruined forts are scattered throughout, and the area is also an archaeological treasure trove of Iron and Stone Age sites. The Voortrekkers were prominent in Rustenburg and the Paul Kruger house where the former President once lived, is open to public viewing. The Rustenburg Ramble which has been well estbalished for quite a few years now has many delightful curios and gift shops to browse through. Complementing the many fine hotels with their superb conference and banqueting facilities are a number of quaint and secluded guest houses that offer a personal and charming hospitality found throughout the region.

Cities / Towns

Groot Marico, Koster, Rustenburg, Sun City and Lost City, Swartruggens

Rustenburg attractions

• Attractions include the Anglican Church (1871)
• the Dutch Reformed Church (1898 -1903); the statue of the Voortrekker girl
• Paul Bodenstein Park
• a tour of the Tabacco Research Institute at Kroondal
• a visit President Krugers farm Boekenhoutfontein
• a circular game-viewing tour of the Rustenburg Nature Reserve
• the Rustenburg Ramble which includes craft galleries, farm stalls and eating venues.

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