About Secunda
Secunda derives its name from the Latin word Second or Secundi which translates to second/following. It was named for being the second extraction refinery producing oil from coal, after Sasolburg some 140 kilometres to the west. There is five coal mines, namely Brandspruit, Middelbult, Bosjesspruit, Twistdraai and Syferfontein, form the largest underground coal mining complex in South Africa and annually supply approximately 37,3 million tons of coal to Sasol Synthetic Fuels.
Secunda which forms part of The Gert Sibande District Municipality and is an economic hub for mining, agriculture and tourism.
The area is also known as Cosmos Country.
Secunda is situated on the latitude 26° and longitude 29° and is 1,620 meters above sea level. It is 180 km from Pretoria, 135 km from Johannesburg, 100 km from Brakpan and 250 km from Potchefstroom.
There are two distinctive features of the landscape around Secunda they are the massive cooling towers, high chimneys and the steel constructions unique to the South-African oil-from coal industry. The highest structure in Secunda is the 301 metre high chimney at the Sasol Three plant. This chimney happens to be one of the tallest freestanding structures in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sasol
The layout of the Secunda is unique in the sense that access to schools, the Central Business District and the suburban shopping centers is made easier for pedestrians and cyclists as the green strips are free from vehicles and the distance to be travelled is shorter.
Secunda has an approximate 40 000 inhabitants with an estimated 142,000 people living in nearby township named eMbalenhle – meaning “pretty flower”. It also has three high schools, two of them having started out with Afrikaans language education, namely High School Oosterland, and High School Secunda. The third, Highveld Park High School was founded with English as the central language of education. Now though, the two formerly mentioned also offer both languages in all offered subjects for education. The town has experienced significant growth in the past few years due to the expansions underway at the Sasol complexes. Every year Sasol has a “shutdown” where 14 500 job opportunities are created for the period, with over 100 external service providers, contractors and subcontractors are involved.
History
Click here to read about the history of Secunda and the rest of The Cosmos Country.
Climate
During the summer, Secunda has a very pleasant climate with an average temperature of 25.2°C. During the winter, the nights are cold, and the frost regularly occurs. The days are dry, sunny and warm with an average day temperature of 16.2°C.
Things to do in Secunda
Secunda has several businesses, some private and other corporate which are highly successful. Among some are Game, Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, Mr Price and Mr Price Home, along with many restaurants and fast food establishment. Several shopping centres boasts stores with great variety being offered in the town. Click here for more information on the abundant shopping in the area.
A fitness centre owned by Sasol operates in the centre of the business district, but is open to the public.
Secunda also boasts some fabulous Golf courses in and around in the area. Click here for more info.
With Large dams in the surrounding areas there is plenty of water sport and fishing to keep you busy on weekends. There is even a Water Park with a 25m Indoor Heated Swimming Pool, indoor heated super tube, various outdoor slides, pools, braai and picnic facilities. Part of the Lake Umuzi Waterfront. Click here to view the picturesque surrounds at the waterfront.
There are great sundowner watering holes as well as many top notch restaurants. Click here to learn more about our nocturnal life and restaurants.
Golf, fishing, birding, hiking, cycling, canoeing, shopping … it’s all here for you to enjoy!
