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Facts & History

RUSTENBURG

Fast Facts

  • Population 395,500

  • The city’s name originates from Dutch and means “place of rest”
  • Located in the heart of the savannah bushveld at the foot of the Magaliesburg Mountains
  • One of the prime tourist destinations in South Africa
  • The largest platinum mining region of the world, currently processing 70% of the world’s platinum

History

  • The Bafokeng people originate from this area
  • Bafokeng means “people of dew”
  • The Bafokeng people settled in the area more than 200 years ago.
  • Has a strong Voortrekker (Dutch farming settlers) influence and was one of the first cities of importance in their history

Activities and Points of Interest

  • Sun City – one of Africa’s premier holiday resorts, only 15 minutes from Rustenburg
  • Valley of the Waves – an expansive water park, with a wave machine capable of generating 1.8 meter waves every 90 seconds
  • Rustenburg Nature Reserve – situated in an extensive valley between two mountain ridges just outside Rustenburg, with a population of over 800 antelope
  • Pilanesberg National Park – the fourth largest in southern Africa, with an excess of 7,000 animals
  • Hartebeesport Dam – 40 minutes from Rustenburg

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

  • Capacity 42,000

  • Named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area
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