Postmasburg

Postmasburg is a town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

Postmasburg
Postmasburg Show map of Northern Cape Postmasburg Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 28.3279°S 23.0706°E / -28.3279; 23.0706
Country	South Africa
Province	Northern Cape
District	ZF Mgcawu
Municipality	Tsantsabane
Area [1]
• Total	158.41 km2 (61.16 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	30,089
• Density	190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	54.6%
• Coloured	36.8%
• Indian/Asian	0.5%
• White	7.4%
• Other	0.7%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	53.9%
• Tswana	33.6%
• Xhosa	2.7%
• Sotho	2.6%
• Other	7.2%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	8420
PO box	8420
Area code	053

Location

The Town is located approximately 170 km east of Upington.^[2] It is 67 km (42 mi) north of Griquatown and 58 km (36 mi) west-south-west of Daniëlskuil.

History

Originally a station of the London Missionary Society called Sibiling, it became a Griqua village with the name Blinkklip.^[3] It was proclaimed a town on 6 June 1892 and named after the Reverend Dirk Postma (1818–1890), founder of the Reformed Churches in South Africa.^[4]

The town achieved municipal status in 1936.

Army

The South African Army's Combat Training Centre is located nearby, at Lohatla.

Sport

The town is home to Hungry Lions, a soccer team playing in the National First Division.^[5][6]

Economy

Postmasburg is home to Kolomela Mine which is owned by Anglo American. The Iron Ore mine officially opened in June 2012 provides job opportunities for the local communities.^[7]

Postmasburg is also home to the Nchwaning, Wessels, Gloria and Mamatwan mines within the Postmasburg Manganese Field.

See also

• Redstone Solar Thermal Power
• Jasper Solar Energy Project
• Lesedi Solar Park