Rustenburg, North West
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Coordinates: 25°40′05″S 27°14′19″E / 25.66806°S 27.23861°E
Rustenburg (Afrikaans and Dutch: Town of Rest) is a city of 395,761 inhabitants (2001 National Census) situated in at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range in North West Province of South Africa.
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[edit] History
The town was established in 1851 as an administrative centre for a fertile farming area producing citrus fruit, tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle. On 10 February 1859, the Dutch Reformed Church was founded in Rustenburg. Just north-west of the town, the Transvaal President Paul Kruger bought a 5 square kilometre farm in 1863.
Among the first residents of Rustenburg were settlers of Indian origin. One of the first families of Indian origin was the Bhyat family, whose contribution to the City's history was marked by the renaming of a major streetname to "Fatima Bhayat Street"[1] in honour of Fatima Bhyat who arrived in Rustenburg with her husband in 1877.
[edit] Facts
- Rustenburg is one of the host cities of the 2010 Football World Cup with the 42,000 seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium[2].
- Rustenburg is also reported to be the fastest growing city in South Africa[3].
- Rustenburg is home to the two largest platinum mines in the world and the world's largest platinum refinery, PMR [4] (Precious Metal Refiners), which processes around 70% of the world's platinum.
[edit] Famous people
- Rory Alec - Christian broadcaster
- Johan Botha - Opera singer
- Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha - Politician and foreign minister (1977-1990)
- John Cyril Cranko - Ballet choreographer
- Koos du Plessis - Singer-songwriter
- Frik du Preez - Rugby union player
- Esta TerBlanche - Actress
[edit] External links
- Rustenburg's Premier Community Portal & Business Directory - www.rustenburgonline.co.za.
- Rustenburg Local Municipality - www.rustenburg.gov.za
- Rusties Community Website - www.rusties.info
