A History of Rustenburg
The town of Rustenburg was established in the now known North West Province of South Africa in 1851. The native BaFokeng tribe and the Dutch burghers saw the potential in the fertile ground and the promise it held for a prosperous life. Rustenburg became the administrative hub for the production of tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, maize and wheat. It is also known as cattle country.
1851
Andries Pretorius – Voortrekker leader – settled there a decade earlier and names the destination Rustenburg (Place of Rest). Both the Dutch and the natives agreed that Rustenburg and surrounds, set at the foot of the Magaliesberg, was ripe with possibility because of its fertile soil for growing crop and herding cattle.
1852
In 1852 Andries Pretorius and Andries Hendrik Potgieter prevented a civil war and reconciled. Today the site is located at the reformed Church Square, on your left on the R24, just before the Waterfall Mall.
Pres. Paul Kruger ~ 1883 – 1900
Former President Paul Kruger – after who the Kruger Rands were named – bought a piece of land near Rustenburg, about 5 square km in size and settled there. The location is still known today as Boekenhoutfontein and one can still visit the old restored farmhouse and eat freshly baked bread out of the old dutch oven every Saturday.
At Boekenhoutfontein one can still visit the old restored farmhouse and eat freshly baked bread out of the old dutch oven every Saturday.
BaFokeng Nation
The native BaFokeng tribe settled in Rustenburg more than a thousand years ago. They originated from central Africa and were originally the BaKwena people. Because of the dew that settled at the foot of the Magaliesbergs, they knew that this land would be fertile and thus a good place to settle down. They then called themselves, as they do today, the Bafokeng (which means “People of the Dew”). They also play a big part in the history of Rustenburg.
Did you know ? The Royal Bafokeng Stadium – used in the 2010 FIFA World Cup – is named after the Bafokeng Tribe, who contributed 60% of the renovating of the stadium?
Rustenburg: a place of Wars & Battlefields
The Anglo-boer War took place near Rustenburg, Koster & Swartruggens. Other Ethnic wars were also fought in the surrounding area and these battlefields can still be visited today. Sites one can visit include memorial graves and old forts – now in ruins – which tell the tales of the tragedies that took place during the course of history in Rustenburg.
Other interesting historic facts about Rustenburg and its surrounds:
- In 1857 Kroondal was established by the Germans who moved to Rustenburg.
- The Anglican church was built in 1871
- The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1898 and the build took three years to complete.
Related article: Historic buildings, landmarks and monuments in Rustenburg
In 1851 the town of Rustenburg was established in the now known North West Province of South Africa. As the BaFokeng people saw back when they settled there, the Dutch burghers saw the fertile ground and the promise it held for a prosperous life. Thus Rustenburg became the administrative centre of the production of tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, maize, wheat as well as herding cattle.
Andries Pretorius – Voortrekker leader – settled there a decade earlier with burghers and called the place Rustenburg – Dutch translation – Place of Rest. The Dutch as well as the native people were in agreement that this surrounding area of Rustenburg – at the foot of the Magaliesbergs – was ripe with possibility with it’s fertile soil for growing crop and herding cattle.
It is also there in 1852 where Pretorius and Andries Hendrik Potgieter prevented a civil war and reconciled. The site located at the hervormde Church Square, between Fatim Bhayat and Pretorius Streets can still be experienced today.
Each aspect of Rustenburg has its own history as the fact that Pres. Paul Kruger – after which the Kruger Rands are named – bought a piece of land near Rustenburg, about 5km2 in size that time, and settled there. The place is still known today as Boekenhoutfontein and one can apparently still visit the old restored farmhouse and eat freshly baked bread out of the old dutch oven every Saturday.
Rustenburg also has its native people the BaFokeng nation, that came to Rustenburg and settled there more than a thousand years ago. They originated from central Africa and were originally the BaKwena people. Because of the dew that settled at the foot of the Magaliesbergs, they knew that this land would be fertile and thus a good place to settle down. They then called themselves, as they do today, the bafokeng (which means “People of the Dew”). T
In 1851 the town of Rustenburg was established in the now known North West Province of South Africa. As the BaFokeng people saw back when they settled there, the Dutch burghers saw the fertile ground and the promise it held for a prosperous life. Thus Rustenburg became the administrative centre of the production of tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, maize, wheat as well as herding cattle.
Andries Pretorius – Voortrekker leader – settled there a decade earlier with burghers and called the place Rustenburg – Dutch translation – Place of Rest. The Dutch as well as the native people were in agreement that this surrounding area of Rustenburg – at the foot of the Magaliesbergs – was ripe with possibility with it’s fertile soil for growing crop and herding cattle.
It is also there in 1852 where Pretorius and Andries Hendrik Potgieter prevented a civil war and reconciled. The site located at the hervormde Church Square, between Fatim Bhayat and Pretorius Streets can still be experienced today.
Each aspect of Rustenburg has its own history as the fact that Pres. Paul Kruger – after which the Kruger Rands are named – bought a piece of land near Rustenburg, about 5km2 in size that time, and settled there. The place is still known today as Boekenhoutfontein and one can apparently still visit the old restored farmhouse and eat freshly baked bread out of the old dutch oven every Saturday.
Rustenburg also has its native people the BaFokeng nation, that came to Rustenburg and settled there more than a thousand years ago. They originated from central Africa and were originally the BaKwena people. Because of the dew that settled at the foot of the Magaliesbergs, they knew that this land would be fertile and thus a good place to settle down. They then called themselves, as they do today, the bafokeng (which means “People of the Dew”). They also play a big part in the history of Rustenburg.
One of the big wars, the Anglo-boer War was also took place near Rustenburg, Koster & Swartruggens. Other Ethnic wars also happened in the surrounding area and these battlefields can still be visited today. Around Rustenburg you’ll also still find memorial graves as well as old forts – now in ruins – which tell the tale of the tragedies that took place in the history of Rustenburg.
Other interesting historic facts about Rustenburg and its surroundings:
In 1857 Kroondal was established by the German people that moved to Rustenburg.
The Anglican church was built in 1871
As well as the Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1898 till 1903
In 1851 the town of Rustenburg was established in the now known North West Province of South Africa. As the BaFokeng people saw back when they settled there, the Dutch burghers saw the fertile ground and the promise it held for a prosperous life. Thus Rustenburg became the administrative centre of the production of tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, maize, wheat as well as herding cattle.
Andries Pretorius – Voortrekker leader – settled there a decade earlier with burghers and called the place Rustenburg – Dutch translation – Place of Rest. The Dutch as well as the native people were in agreement that this surrounding area of Rustenburg – at the foot of the Magaliesbergs – was ripe with possibility with it’s fertile soil for growing crop and herding cattle.
It is also there in 1852 where Pretorius and Andries Hendrik Potgieter prevented a civil war and reconciled. The site located at the hervormde Church Square, between Fatim Bhayat and Pretorius Streets can still be experienced today.
Each aspect of Rustenburg has its own history as the fact that Pres. Paul Kruger – after which the Kruger Rands are named – bought a piece of land near Rustenburg, about 5km2 in size that time, and settled there. The place is still known today as Boekenhoutfontein and one can apparently still visit the old restored farmhouse and eat freshly baked bread out of the old dutch oven every Saturday.
Rustenburg also has its native people the BaFokeng nation, that came to Rustenburg and settled there more than a thousand years ago. They originated from central Africa and were originally the BaKwena people. Because of the dew that settled at the foot of the Magaliesbergs, they knew that this land would be fertile and thus a good place to settle down. They then called themselves, as they do today, the bafokeng (which means “People of the Dew”). They also play a big part in the history of Rustenburg.
One of the big wars, the Anglo-boer War was also took place near Rustenburg, Koster & Swartruggens. Other Ethnic wars also happened in the surrounding area and these battlefields can still be visited today. Around Rustenburg you’ll also still find memorial graves as well as old forts – now in ruins – which tell the tale of the tragedies that took place in the history of Rustenburg.
Other interesting historic facts about Rustenburg and its surroundings:
In 1857 Kroondal was established by the German people that moved to Rustenburg.
The Anglican church was built in 1871
As well as the Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1898 till 1903
hey also play a big part in the history of Rustenburg.
One of the big wars, the Anglo-boer War was also took place near Rustenburg, Koster & Swartruggens. Other Ethnic wars also happened in the surrounding area and these battlefields can still be visited today. Around Rustenburg you’ll also still find memorial graves as well as old forts – now in ruins – which tell the tale of the tragedies that took place in the history of Rustenburg.
Other interesting historic facts about Rustenburg and its surroundings:
In 1857 Kroondal was established by the German people that moved to Rustenburg.
The Anglican church was built in 1871
As well as the Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1898 till 1903
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