Potchefstroom, North West - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Potchefstroom is an academic city in the North West Province of South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

. It hosts the Potchefstroom Campus

Potchefstroom Campus

The Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University was formerly known as the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education...

of the North-West University

North-West University

The North-West University is a newly merged institution from 1 January 2004 onwards with four campuses at Potchefstroom, Mafikeng, Vanderbijlpark and Mankwe. The Potchefstroom Campus is the largest, and the head office of the University is situated at this location...

(previously known as Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, by which name it was, and still is, famous abroad). It is situated on the banks of the Mooirivier (Afrikaans

Afrikaans

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...

for "pretty (or beautiful) river"), roughly 120 km (75 mi) west-southwest of Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...

and 45 km (28 mi) east-northeast of Klerksdorp.

In 2007 the local municipality was changed from Potchefstroom Municipality to Tlokwe Municipality. Tlokwe is also the name that is proposed to replace the town's name.

Origins of the name

There are various origins that are claimed for the origin of the name Potchefstroom.
Firstly it is said to come from 'Potgieter' + 'Chef' + 'stroom'. This refers to the Voortrekker leader and town father Andries Potgieter, "chef" being an indication of leader of the emigrants and "stroom" referring to the Mooi River.

According to the South African writer Geoffrey Jenkins

Geoffrey Jenkins

-Early life:Jenkins was born Pretoria. At the age of 17 he wrote and had published A Century of History which received a special eulogy from General Jan Smuts at the centenary of Potchefstroom....

, "Others however, attribute the name as having come from the word 'Potscherf', meaning broken pot, due to the cracks that appear in the soil of the Mooi River Valley during drought resembling a broken pot".

M.L Fick thirdly suggests that Potchefstroom developed from the abbreviation of "Potgieterstroom" to "Potgerstroom" which in time became "Potchefstroom".
However, this doesn't account for the use of "Potjestroom" which is found as inscription on many documents and photographs.

Name change

In 2006 the local municipality decided on a name change for the city, name of the municipality and a number of important street names, favouring 'Tlokwe' as the new name.
The municipality changed its name to "Tlokwe City council", but the city's name remains "Potchefstroom".
Aksie Potchefstroom / Action Potchefstroom under leadership of Theo Venter challenged the geograpical name change of the city as well as the name change of the municipality on the grounds of lack of public participation and statutory inadequate due process. A number of civic actions ensued and a court case followed. The status quo is currently that the name of the municipality is the Tlokwe Local Municipality, but the geographical name has remained Potchefstroom.
The suitability of the name Tlokwe was also challenged because the tribe most associated with Potchefstroom was the Barolong (still living in the Potchefstroom area following a successful land claim) while the Batlokwa tribe only moved through the Potchefstroom area circa 1720 and finally settled near Bote and Tlokweng close to Rustenburg.

History

The town, founded in 1838 by the Voortrekkers

Voortrekkers

The Voortrekkers were emigrants during the 1830s and 1840s who left the Cape Colony moving into the interior of what is now South Africa...

, is the second oldest settlement of people of Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

an descent in the then Transvaal

South African Republic

The South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...

. The honour of oldest European settlement belongs to Klerksdorp, situated approximately 40 km (25 mi) to the West. This is sometimes challenged by historians because the first settlement was in the "upper regions of the Schoon Spruit", which might be between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom. Potchefstroom however was the first to develop into a functional town.

For a short time until 1840, the towns of Potchefstroom and Winburg

Winburg

Winburg is a small mixed farming town in the Free State province of South Africa.It is the oldest proclaimed town in the Orange Free State, South Africa and thus along with Griquatown, one of the oldest settlements in South Africa located north of the Orange River.Winburg is situated midway...

as well as their surrounding territories were joined in a political entity known as the Republic of Winburg-Potchefstroom. Voortrekker leader Andries Hendrik Potgieter

Andries Hendrik Potgieter

Andries Hendrik Potgieter, known as Hendrik Potgieter was a Voortrekker leader. He served as the first head of state of Potchefstroom from 1840 and 1845 and also as the first head of state of Zoutpansberg from 1845 to 1852.Potgieter was born in the Tarkastad district of the Cape Colony, the second...

was elected as chief commandant.

In October 1840, after a meeting between Potgieter, Andries Pretorius

Andries Pretorius

Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus Pretorius was a leader of the Boers who was instrumental in the creation of the Transvaal Republic, as well as the earlier but short-lived Natalia Republic, in present-day South Africa....

and G.R. van Rooyen it was decided that Potchefstroom would unite with "Pieter Mouriets Burg" (Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...

).

In 1848 Potchefstroom became the capital of the ZAR, a status which was affirmed by Britain in 1852.

Over 16 and 17 January 1852, the Sand River Convention

Sand River Convention

The Sand River Convention was a convention whereby Great Britain formally recognised the independence of the Boers living beyond the Vaal River. In return, the Boers promised that slavery would be outlawed in the Transvaal and that they would not interfere in the Orange River Sovereignty's affairs...

was signed between Andries Pretorius

Andries Pretorius

representing the Boers and Major W.S Hogge and Mr C.M. Owen representing Britain. According to this convention the British Government would allow the emigrant farmers north of the Vaal river to govern according to their own laws, with a policy of non-interference from both sides - slavery in the north was also prohibited under this agreement. This signalled the establishment of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek (ZAR) (South African Republic

South African Republic

in English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

). In article 17 of the Constitution of the ZAR of 18 February 1858 (which was accepted in Rustenburg), it was stated that "Potchefstroom, located on the Mooi River, would be the capital of the Republic and that Pretoria would be the seat of government" . In May 1860 Potchefstroom became the "chief city" of the Republic, with the capital having moved to Pretoria.

On the 16 December 1880, the first shots of the First Boer War

First Boer War

The First Boer War also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881-1877 annexation:...

were fired when the Boers laid siege to the old fort. The siege ended amicably on 23 March 1881. The British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War

Second Boer War

The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...

to house Boer

Boer

Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...

women, children and elderly men.

At the opening of the City hall in 1909, General Jan Smuts, the then Colonial Secretary was asked about the possibility of Potchefstroom becoming the capital of the Union. He replied that the city stood no chance, but said that it should aim at being South Africa's biggest educational centre.
This has led to the strong educational inclination of this, the 'city of expertise'.

Since 1997 the town has hosted to the annual Aardklop

Aardklop

Aardklop is an annual South African arts festival held since 1998 in the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West province of South Africa. This cultural festival incorporates predominantly Afrikaans theatre, dance, music, cabaret and visual arts, and is held in a variety of venues in and around the...

Arts Festival, a (mostly) Afrikaans arts festival held in late September each year.

Population

The Potchefstroom municipality, which encompasses several neighbouring settlements, has a population of 128,357, according to the 2007 community survey. Of these, 69.6% were African, 27.0% White, 3.0% Coloured and 0.4% Asian. http://www.statssa.gov.za/timeseriesdata/pxweb2006/Dialog/Saveshow.asp
Voting population during 2011 local elections was 85945 according to the IEC (http://www.iec.org.za) representing 75% of the adult population which brings the adult population to approx 120 000. If the population under 18 is added, the population figures should be closer to 200 000 in 2011.

Education

Potchefstroom is home to, inter alia, five tertiary institutions and 30 schools, as well as numerous research bureaus and training centres. These include:

The North-West University
North-West University
The North-West University is a newly merged institution from 1 January 2004 onwards with four campuses at Potchefstroom, Mafikeng, Vanderbijlpark and Mankwe. The Potchefstroom Campus is the largest, and the head office of the University is situated at this location...

, a merged tertiary educational institution that was created on 1 January 2004, with campuses at Potchefstroom, Mafikeng
Mafikeng
Mahikeng – formerly legally, but still commonly known as Mafikeng – is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It is best known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War.Located on South Africa's border with Botswana, it is ...

and Vanderbijlpark. The Potchefstroom Campus
Potchefstroom Campus
The Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University was formerly known as the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education...

(formerly the Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys, founded in 1869) is the largest and the head office of the University is situated there. With its merged status, the North-West University became one of the bigger universities in South Africa with approximately 32, 000 students (full-time and distance education students) and is still growing.
The Potchefstoom College of Education, originally the Normal College, which was founded in 1919. Initially the College was housed in galvanised iron buildings on the same premises as the Potchefstroom High School for Boys, and it moved to its present location in 1923. The College of Education was incorporated with the University on 1 January 2001.
The Technical College Potchefstroom, founded in 1939 when the Union Education Department started "continuation classes". The annual increase in student numbers bears testimony to the important role played by this tertiary body.
The Agricultural Centre, previously known as the Experimental Farm (1902) and Agricultural College (1939), is currently the largest single agricultural service point on one terrain in Southern Africa. The centre houses the headquarters of the Highveld Region of the Department Agriculture, the Grain Crops Institute as well as the Agricultural College with its modern training facilities. An internationally recognised breed of chicken, called the Potchefstroom Koekoek
Potchefstroom Koekoek
The Potchefstroom Koekoek is a South African breed of chicken developed in the 1960s at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College in the city of Potchefstroom by Professor Chris Marais...

was developed here.
CTI Education Group
CTI Education Group
The CTI Education Group is a registered, private higher education institution in South Africa. Full-time and part-time students can study within the fields of Information Technology, Psychology & Counselling, Creative Arts & Graphic Design, Commerce and Law on campuses spread throughout South...

, a registered private higher education institution specializing in Information Technology opened its doors in Potchefstroom in 1998. In 2007 the Midrand Graduate College merged with CTI and instruction started in Commerce, Creative Arts & Graphic Design, Psychology & Counselling, and Law. CTI is currently situated in Esselen street on the Bult.
Potchefstroom Akademie, founded in 1981 by managing director Tina Schöltz and offers tertiary education in the fields of Somatology, Health and Skincare Therapy, Holistic Health Therapies as well as Interior Design and Decorating.
Potchefstroom High School for Girls: The school was originally known as the Central School and was established in 1874. Girls High was founded in 1905 when the Central School was divided into separate High School for boys and girls.
Potchefstroom Boys High School, established in 1874; it has been on its current site since 1905.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium, founded in January 1907 as "Die Voorbereidende Skool" with HJJ van der Walt as its first principal. The preparation work which the schools did was in getting young men ready for theological studies as part of the Potchestroom University, the school later moved to its current location. On 25 January 1915, the school changed its name to Goeverement Skool. A year later it became the first school to start using Afrikaans as well as Dutch and English, making it the first Afrikaans High school north of the Vaal river. In 1918 it became solely a high school and changed its name to Potchefstroom Gimnasium.
Potchefstroom Cental Primary School, the only English speaking primary school in the town
Hoër Volkskool, founded in 1927

Facilities

Potchefstroom is known as the North-West Province's "Home of Sport". The provincial headquarters of 17 of the most important sports are situated in the city. The City Council places a high priority on the establishment, maintenance and upgrading of the sport facilities under its control, especially to meet the variety of sporting and recreational needs of its youthful community. The Mooi River trails as well as other trails add extra colour and variety to these facilities available to resident and tourist alike. Cricket is the most popular sport and Potchefstroom hosted a match from the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup between Australia and The Netherlands. Potchefstroom has produced numerous famous sports people. Some include: Godfrey Khotso Mokoena, silver medal winner in long jump at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Justine Robbeson and Ryan Diedericks.
The visit of the Spanish team "La Roja" during the FIFA 2010 World Cup introduced a new level of sporting exposure to Potchefstroom and the NWU. To prepare for the team a new sporting complex was build at the University and the local airport was extented to host large passenger planes to land. The Spanish team won the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

Listed monuments

Since the inception of the Heritage Resources Act of 1999, monuments are classified as grade I (National), grade II (Provincial and grade III (local). Many previous national monuments were downgraded to provincial level (grade II).

Grade I : National Heritage Sites

Old Fort and Cemetery, ca.1881: It is an earthwork quadrilateral, west of Potch - Klerksdorp railway line and south of Potch - Klerksdorp main road. The fort was built by British soldiers under the command of major RWC Winsloe during the Anglo-Boer War in 1880. The British troops were besieged in the fort by the Boers for 95 days and a number of soldiers and civilians who died during the siege are buried in the adjoining cemetery. Declared in 1937 (Item 27046 in SAHRA registry).

South African National Artillery Memorial: This is the South African National Memorial Site for all Artillery Soldiers who died in combat during World War II. The Memorial is in Kanonierspark on the Ventersdorp Road.

Grade II: Provincial Heritage Sites

The W D Pretorius House, ca.1853: Willem Daniel Pretorius obtained this house and outbuildings – the residence of a farm adjacent to the town – in 1888. Extensions and changes to the house were started immediately. His initials and date (WDP- 1888) were inscribed on the front door of the new facade. He was the great grand nephew of the president MW Pretorius. A small school was accommodated in one of the buildings, forerunner ML Fick Primary school. The Mooi Rivier Dutch Reformed Church was founded on these premises in 1917. The site is on the corner of Walter Sisulu ave and Smit street. It was declared in 1987 (Item 27354 in SAHRA database).

Goetz-Fleishack House, ca.1857: This is the only existing example of an early townhouse, ”Dorpshuis” built around Nieuwe Market Square. It serves as concrete evidence of the lifestyle of the first wealthy civilians in the Z.A.R. The site used to be a private residence of magistrate A.M. Goetz during the First War of Independence (1880-1881). His son-in-law Albert Reinholdt Fleishack later lived in the same home. The house and the outbuildings have been restored and fitted out as a house museum. The museum is situated on the corner of Nelson Mandela and Sol Plaatjie Ave. It was declared in 1985 (Item 27820 on SAHRA register)

Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (Church), ca.1859: The original cruciform church with earth floor and thatched roof was supplied with a tin roof with decorative cast iron horsemen and exceptional pointed spire. With the improvement of 1892 a plank floor, galleries, church pews, ceiling and proper lamps were put in. Later on an organ gallery was built, and a pipe organ imported from London and transported by train and ox-wagon. The building’s cornerstone was laid on 26 December 1859, but the building itself was consecrated on 25 February 1866. Building was interrupted in 1863-4 by the civil war. The church is in Walter Sisulu ave (opposite the Town Hall).

M W Pretorius House, ca.1868: The President Pretorius house is of traditional Cape style with white plaster and traditional thatched roof. It consists of a 1,3230 hectare property with the original main residence, wagon house and stables and smithy. The site also contains huge oak trees planted by M.W. Pretorius. This house was declared a monument in 1979 (Item 27047 in the SAHRA register) and has been converted into a house museum.

Berlin Missionary Complex, ca.1875: This building looked the same as the Berlin Mission Church in Pretoria: a small hall in “fortified” colonial Gothic Stylistic elements. It initially had a thatched roof, as well as a dung floor; the thatched roof was replaced by a tin roof in 1956 while a parquet floor and a gallery were added. Some smaller changes were also made since 1938 when the newly established Evangelical Lutheran Congregation came into being and used the Mission Church. The Gereformeerde Church Mooi Rivier currently own the building. It is on the corner of Sol Plaatjie and Du Plooy streets.

St. Mary’s Anglican Church, ca.1890: The building is ascribed to John William Gaisford, the first Potchefstromer known to have acted as architect. Originally the church had a high-pitched thatched roof, lancet, windows and a mud floor and no ceiling. Situated in Auto Street.

Dutch Reformed Mother Church Potchefstroom, ca.1895: This church with gothic style elements was constructed on the design of the master builder Wocke. President Paul Kruger laid the foundation stone on 13 Feb 1894. It was a temporary hospital in the Anglo Boer War. The Reverend Beyers Naudé was a reverend at this church before his own resistance against the political system. The church was nearly devasted by a fire on the 13 March 2007 but was restored by 2009 and the new organ was inaugurated in September 2011. The church is on the corner of Beyers Naude and Nelson Mandela Drives.

Old Powder Magazine, ca.1898: It is one of the oldest existing buildings in Potchefstroom. Permission for its erection was granted in 1854, and the powder house was almost certainly in use in 1857. It played a prominent role in the siege of Potchefstroom of 1881, when the British demolished part of it in order to use some of the material for cover. In 1883 it was demolished and the current magazine (which was half the size of the original) was built in its place by 1898. It was declared a monument in 1973 (Item 27357 in SAHRA database)

Old Fourth Prison, ca. 1898: The fourth prison was built on the current site, before the outbreak of the Anglo Boer war (1899-1903). It was used as a prison and later as the HQ of the Potchefstroom Commando till 1998. This building is in Auto Ave and currently houses the Tlokwe Youth Centre.

Old Post Office building (Landdrost Post en Telegraafgebou), ca 1897: This building, situated in Greyling street was declared in 1991 (Item 27142 and 27144 in SAHRA register).

Theological School Complex, ca. 1905: The old Theological School complex in Molen Street is both a symbol of the training of the Reformed Church (Gereformeerde Kerk) and of teaching through the medium of Afrikaans at primary, secondary and tertiary level, the latter because both the Mooi River Primary School, Gymnasium High school (probably the first in the country which offered teaching in Afrikaans rather than in Dutch) and the PU for CHE grew from this Theological School. The complex is in Molen Street.

Totius House, ca.1905: The site came into use in 1905, like the Theological School Building. In design it is practically a replica of the professor’s residence in Burgersdorp (where the Reformed church seminary moved from). The first resident of the house was Prof. Jan Lion Cachet. He was succeeded in 1911 by Jacob Daniel Du Toit (Totius) as professor at the Theological School. Totius and his family lived in the house until 1924, and at least four of his volumes of poetry were created while he lived there. Totius also started his work on Afrikaans translation of the Bible, a task he continued on a farm at Krugerskraal. Today the house serves as one of the city's House museums and is situated in Molen Street.

Town Hall, ca 1909: A building in Edwardian Classicist design, inaugurated on 10 March 1909 by the then Colonial Secretary, General Jan Smuts
Jan Smuts
Jan Christiaan Smuts, OM, CH, ED, KC, FRS, PC was a prominent South African and British Commonwealth statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various cabinet posts, he served as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 until 1924 and from 1939 until 1948...

. Together with the City Hall of Krugersdorp it is the oldest existing City Hall north of the Vaal River in South Africa. The western façade is strictly symmetrical with the 26 m (85 ft)-high ornamental, domed tower as a central axis. The clockwork and bell with its Westminster chimes were manufactured in the Netherlands. The building cost 12,000 pounds at the time. Declared in 1993 (Item 27143 in SAHRA register)

Selbourne Hall, ca. 1909: This building on the Agricultural college is currently in a bad state of disrepair.

Oak Avenue, ca.1910: The Town Council of Potchefstroom decided to plant an oak lane in 1910. The lane of 6.84km stretches from the Agricultural Centre to the Lakeside Resort. The streets comprise of Chris Hani Drive, Kock St, Dr Wolmarans street, Beyers Naudé Ave, Retief St, Peter Mokaba, Steve Biko and Calderbank Avenues. The site was declared a monument in 1977 (Item 27304 in SAHRA registry) and a stone beacon with bronze plaque for the lane was erected on the corner of Lombard and Kruger Street at the time.

Commanding Officers House / Witrand Hospital Superintend house, ca.1913: Formerly house of the Commanding Officer of British Garrison in Potchefstroom, Also known as the “Generals House”. Colonel SHC Monro was the first commanding officer of the garrison and the first resident of the house. Later the Witrand Care & Rehab Centre Superintendent House. It was declared in 1982 and is situated on the Witrand grounds on the Ventersdorp Road. It was declared a monument in 1982 (Item 27665 in SAHRA database).

Carnegie library, ca. 1914: This building was named after Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...

, who funded the building of the library and many other libraries across the world. The portico and gable shapes are derived from those of the adjacent town hall so that the two buildings have similar appearance. It currently serves as a liaison office for the Town Council and Potchefstroom Tourism. It is on the corner of Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu Ave. It was declared a monument in 1993 (Item 27140 in SAHRA database)

Heimat building, ca.1925: A double-storey hostel in the Neo Cape Dutch style was designed by Gerard Moerdijk
Gerard Moerdijk
Gerard Leendert Pieter Moerdijk , also known as Gerard Moerdyk, was a South African architect best-known for designing the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria....

was the first permanent building to be erected on the university campus. It was decided that it would be called ‘Ons Huis’ (Our Home). When the students occupied it, however, it was called the “Klimop” (Creeper). The students promptly dubbed it “Heimat” – and thus it remained, even after the building was re-allocated for academic purposes in 1980. It was proclaimed in 1984. This building on the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University houses the University's Department of Culture. It was declared in 1984 (item 27194 in SAHRA register).

The Roets House, ca.1926: The house was built by Jan van der Walt so that his son, Peter could stay at home while studying at the University. Later Mr. Hennie Roets, Principal of Mooi River Laerskool, occupied the house. This building is in 61 Steve Biko Ave. Declared in 1984.

Main Building, University, ca 1930: The building was designed by architect Henri Louw from Bloemfontein. The seven arches on the building were meant to echo the seven candelabra in the logo of the university. It was inaugurated on 13 April 1931. It is a double-storey building which originally housed lecture halls, offices and the Library. The building was declared a monument in 1984 and currently houses the Faculty of Law (building G5).

Rector's Residence, 1 Calderbank ave: This building, which has a Tudor style was declared in 1999 (Item 27680 in SAHRA database).

72, 74 and 76 James Maroka Ave: These three houses were declared in 1991.

Grade III: Local Heritage Sites

Currently no there are no local heritage sites in Potchefstroom. The following sites have however been placed on the municipality's provisional list:

Snowflake Silo building, Wolmaransstreet (ca. 1921)
Boyd House, corner of Walter Sisulu Ave and Ayers str (ca. 1909)
Piet Malan House, Steve Biko Ave 57 (ca. 1890)
Kohinoor Cinema, Walter Sisulu Ave (ca. 1950): Kohinoor Cinema is situated along Walter Sisulu Avenue, in Makweteng, presently known as Mieder Park. It was built in the early 1950s. This is where the community used to go and watch movies in the 50s, 60s and 70s. It was also used for dancing competitions, Notably, Ballroom dancing, and weddings prior to the forced removals which started in 1958 until 1963. One of the most memorable events to take place on the site is music shows where Jazz performers such as the Twist Rovers, Spokes Mashiane and other groups from Johannesburg used to entertain audiences.
Potchefstroom Dam and Lakeside Resort, Calderbank Ave (ca. 1908)
Calderbank Building, Walter Sisulu Ave (ca. 1930)
A.M.E. Church, Ikageng (ca. 1961)
House of the Editor-Bate, James Maroka Ave (ca. 1902)
Triomf (Knock) Fertilizer (ca. 1968)
Potchefstroom Station building (ca. 1919) and Steam locomotive on forecourt from 1902.
Potchefstroom Synagogue, James Maroka ave (ca. 1920): The building currently houses the Potchefstroom Academy.
Devil’s corner, Ikageng (ca.1960): An open space which was and is still used by the Ikageng community/ residents for various functions. In the 1960s it was used by women of Ikageng and surrounding areas for fashion parade. It is presently used as a celebration venue for the Kaizer Chiefs Football Club. The site became notorious when local gangsters used it as a paradise or hiding place. Notably it was utilized by local activists and organizations as a meeting place. As the busiest intersection in Ikageng, the community also uses it as a place to display their grievances.
Tlokwe Memorial Park, entrance to Ikageng (ca. 2009): A Memorial Park under construction for the local activists who died during the liberation struggle.
Cachet Park, Bult (ca. 1900): This area is utilized annually for the Aardklop
Aardklop
Aardklop is an annual South African arts festival held since 1998 in the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West province of South Africa. This cultural festival incorporates predominantly Afrikaans theatre, dance, music, cabaret and visual arts, and is held in a variety of venues in and around the...

National Arts Festival.

Other places of interest

The NWU Botanical Garden, situated adjacent to the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University. It covers an area of almost 3 hectares. Most of the plants in the Botanical Garden are indigenous with the exception of a few exotic plants which are of botanical or medicinal interest. A section of the Botanical Garden, around a man-made ridge, is managed as a natural field garden while the rest of the Botanical Garden is more intensively managed. A variety of mammals, birds, amphibians and fish have made the garden their home in recent years providing a whole new dimension to the Botanical Garden.
MooiRivier Mall, a shopping mall opened early in 2008 with over 100 stores. It boasts food and entertainment facilities that overlook the Mooi River. The mall provides alternative shopping facilities for the surrounding towns such as Carletonville, Ventersdorp Parys and Fochville;
Dome Bergland Nature Park. The site of a meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...

impact;
Boskop Dam Nature Reserve;
Potchefstroom Museum;
Newly reformed mosque (2007);
The country's oldest Reformed Churches and its oldest stone-built Hervormde Church are found in the town. St Mary's Anglican Church, built in 1891, is notable for its stained glass windows. The NG Moedergemeente building burnt down in July 2007 and is currently being restored;
OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary;
Buffelsvlei Wild Animal Park;
The Trim Park, situated in the Green Belt area adjacent to the Mooi River;
The Witrand Mental Institute in Potchefstroom was the second Government institution for psychiatric patients and was opened in 1923. The first one, Valkenberg was opened at Maitland in the Cape.

Economy

Potchefstroom is an important industrial, service and agricultural growth point of North West Province. Industries include steel, food processing and chemical.
The chicken industry is of key importance with a number of major players situated around Potchefstroom such as Chubby Chick, Serfontein Poultry, Haagner's Poultry, Crown Chicken and Highveld Egg Cooperation.

North Western Command

The headquarters of the NWC is situated in Potchefstroom and also accentuates the important role which the city plays with regard to the activities of the South African National Defence Force

South African National Defence Force

The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...

in North West Province.

External links

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