Since prehistoric times this area has been known for it’s rich iron ore deposits. More recently, the Rev Robert Moffat referred in his diary to the ‘hills of glittering rock’ he came across while exploring the region in 1843. When tested in later years, the deposits not only turned out to be the largest in the world, but also the richest. YSKOR started mining operations at the town of Sishen (Dingleton since 1990) in 1953. Due to expanded mining activities in the area, the development of the new town, Kathu, started in 1974. on the main route from Gauteng to Namibia and Namaqualand (via Upington), Kathu is one of the most beautiful and modern towns in the country. It offers well equipped recreation facilities of the highest quality, including one of the most beautiful golf courses in the country (situated within the Kathu Forest Reserve), an Olympic standard size swimming pool as well as modern clubs and conference facilities. The town has a modern civic centre with a large variety of shops, banks, restaurants, etc. the centre is centrally located and also accommodates the Tourist Information Bureau and a modern library.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Kuruman 50 km, Olifantshoek 48 km, Postmansburg 74 km, Upington 214 km

Banks – Absa, Standard, FNB

NATURE

Kathu Forest Nature Reserve

The town developed in the midst of a forest of large, majestic camel thorn trees (Acacia erioloba). In 1994 this extensive 700 ha forest area, together with the salt pans, rich in prehistoric artifacts, was proclaimed a nature reserve (2245 ha). The Kathu Forest Reserve is the only one of it’s type in the country, home to more than 200 different bird species and 16 species of game, including gemsbok, giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, eland, kudu and blesbok. A full listing of the bird species is available.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Kathu Show – June

Khai Apple Recreation Resort

The Khai Apple recreation resort, 5 km outside Kathu, adjacent to the nature reserve, offers excellent accommodation in chalets, camping and caravan facilities. Fishing and horse riding are popular pastimes. The nature reserve is accessible from the resort.

Sishen Mine

One of the town’s main attractions is the Sishen Mine. On the outskirts of town, this is one of the five largest open cast iron ore mines in the world. Gigantic iron ore trucks are used for transporting loads of ore of up to 170 tons. The railway line, from Sishen to Saldanha, has the distinction of being the largest iron ore carrier in the world.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking – Kathu Nature Reserve

Hunting – Demaneng

Outdoors – fishing, Game viewing, horse riding

Accommodation in and around Karoo