Mafikeng
The North West province of South Africa is one of the country’s hottest tourist spots. Here, travellers from within the Republic and abroad flock to iconic landmarks that include the breathtaking Sun City Resort and the overwhelmingly beautiful Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. North West reminds travellers of the beauty that South Africa has become world-famous for and also boasts a very central location as it has direct access to the provinces of Gauteng and the Free State as well as the country of Botswana.
The capital of the North West province is Mafikeng and it is situated on the border of the Botswana border and is approximately 260km from the country’s economic and commercial hub of Johannesburg. Mafikeng is the scene of one of South Africa’s more pivotal moments in history – the second Boer War of 1899. The siege of the town lasted an incredible 217 days and unearthed a national hero in Robert Baden-Powell. Of major interest and importance during this time was the diary kept by Sol Plaatje during the siege; this historical document is the first known diary kept by a person of colour.
Today, though, like the rest of North West, Mafikeng is recognised for its unspoilt beauty and dedication to animal conservation. The Mafikeng Game Reserve is 4600 hectares of sprawling Kalahari terrain where visitors can look forward to viewing buffalo, gemsbok, white rhino, and giraffe. Mafikeng is also in close proximity to the pristine Leopard Park Golf Course, ideal for leisurely and serious followers of the game.
