The town forms the westernmost point to South Africa's 'Maize Triangle' and is often referred to as the 'capital' of this vast and prosperous 'bread basket' of the subcontinent. Lichtenburg was the scene of a feverish diamond rush back in 1927, with the discovery of large alluvial diamond deposits in the region. The town, situated about 230 km west of Johannesburg on the main road to Mmabatho, is one of the principal towns of the North West Province, and many tourists choose to use the town as a convenient stopover or even as a weekend base for high rolling at the Mmabatho casino, less than a hour's drive away Lichtenburg and it's immediate environs show much physical evidence of a particularly eventsful past shaped by war, the discovery of diamonds and of course, some remarkable people. Apart from the structures remaining from the gold rush days, there are many monuments and other places of historic interest in the area. Among them is the Greeff Memorial at Witklip, 20 km northeast of Lichtenburg, erected in memory of Commandant HA Greeff, the town's founder. Greeff, a dynamic Boer pioneer who left his native Durbanville in the Cape at a age of 20 to trek to the Transvaal, named the town in remembrance of the little farm where he grew up. Greeff became father in law to General Koos de la Rey, master straight and legendary Assistant Commander General of the Boer forces in the Transvaal in the 1899 – 1902 war against Britain. At one stage during the Anglo Boer War, De la Rey was compelled to attack his own town which had been occupied by the British. Elected to the Senate of the postwar Union in South Africa. De la Rey died an accidental death in 1914. He is buried in the town. A twice life size statue of the General mounted on his horse, Bokkie, stands on the central town square. Several historical homes – all on private property – are accessible to the public. A striking landmark inherited from the past is the century old Dutch Reformed Church in Gerrit Maritz Street. Still in regular use, the church has been declared a national monument. A spacious, modern public library and an art gallery occupy a wing of the Civic Centre. On display are works by such notables as Gregoire Boonzaaier, Irma Stern, Walter Battiss, Dirk Meerkotter and Bettie Cilliers-Barnard. A seemingly incongruous pursuit for a low rainfall area in the middle of the subcontinent is scuba diving. This take place at 'Wondergat', an ancient sinkhole that lies about 40 km out of town just off the road to Mmabatho. Despite the collective efforts of divers over several years, this gigantic natural reservoir has still not been completely explored. To meet the ongoing challenge, diver still travel to Wondergat – some of them from hundreds of kilometers away. Name conservation takes pride of place in Lichtenburg. The magnificent Taurotragus derbianus, better known as the eland – critically endangered in it's northwest and central African countries of origin – has been among the subjects of ongoing captive breeding projects at Lichtenburg's Game Breeding Centre. The 6000 ha Game Breeding Centre adjoining the northeastern boundary of the town is run by the National Zoological Gardens (Pretoria). The centre is home to a great variety of both endemic and exotic fauna. Among them are the Pere David and axis deer, as well as pygmy and river hippopotami in the wetland area. In the extensive grasslands area impala, springbok, red hartebeest, zebra and rhino are found. Cheetah are also kept. Captive-bred offspring of several species are supplied to local and international zoos. Birdlife in the 25 ha wetland area is prolific. Several swam species, flamingoes, wild ducks, coots, herons, egrets and secretary birds are some of the avifauna recorded here. The Willie Marnewick Bird Hide on the reed fringed shores of a sizeable man made lake is one of the best facilities of it's kind in the country. It attracts bird watchers from all over southern Africa and abroad.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bloemfontein 365 km, Cape Town 1365 km, Durban 786 km, Johannesburg 230 km, Kimberley 207 km, Klerksdorp 113 km, Mmabatho 63 km, Port Elizabeth 1029 km, Potchefstroom 160 km, Pretoria 250 km, Vryburg 181 km

Altitude – 1456 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – 600 mm per annum, between December and February

Average Temperatures – Summer 28°c – 36°c; Winter 0°c

Banks – Absa (ATM), Fnb (ATM), Landbank, Standard (ATM)

Rivers – Hartsriver approximately 4 km

HISTORICAL VIEW

Afrikaans Language Monument

Designed by Hennie Potgieter and erected during the 1975 language centenary festival

Burger Monument

Engraved with the names of 87 burghers of Lichtenburg and district who died during the Anglo Boer War

Cattle Dip

A historical cattle dip on the farm Elandsputte, 20 km north of Lichtenburg was declare a national monument.

Diggers' Museum

Diggings

Approximately 20 km north of Lichtenburg lies the world renowned diamond diggings, comprising an area of approximately 35 km from east to west. The world's largest flawless red diamond was found here and numerous diggers still operate in the area. The greatest diamond rush in world history, involving approximately 25 000 diggers, took place in this area during 1927.

Dutch Reformed Church

In Gerrit Maritz Street, erected in 1890. Declared a national monument

Grave of General De La Rey

Located in the Lichtenburg cemetery. The bronze bust of General De La Rey was created by Fanie Eloff.

Greeff Memorial

At Witklip 20 km northeast of Lichtenburg. In commemoration of the founder of Lichtenburg, HA Greeff.

Gruisfontein Battlefield

The Gruisfontein battlefield is located 24 km east of Lichtenburg. A monument has been erected in honour of the burghers who fell there.

Home of Col H du Toit

An old plantation house, home of the pioneer in dry land farming Col H du Toit, erected in 1910 south of town, is still in use as a dwelling.

Home of General De La Rey

The home where General De La Rey lived, 3 km west of town, was demolished during the Anglo Boer War. During 1902 it was rebuilt on the original foundations.

Home of Ha Greeff

The home of the town's founder, HA Greeff, built in 1875 on Manana 10 km east of Lichtenburg, is still standing.

Magistrate's Building - The oldest Magistrate's building dates from 1895 / 6.

North West Agricultural Museum

Statue of General De La Rey

A twice life size statue of General De La Rey mounted on his horse Bokkie. This work of art is the creation of sculptor Hennie Potgieter, who grew up in the Lichtenburg district.

Voortrekker Monument

A small Voortrekker Monument was erected in Elandsfontein, General De La Rey's farm, in memory of the late Boer leader

NATURE

Burning Vlei

The vlei which separates Lichtenburg from it's biggest suburb Kieserville, is unique in as much as the thick layers of peat (which is the product of millions of years of marsh vegetation and the forerunner of coal) had for decades been burning subterraneously, creating a great hazard for man and beast. Very few such phenomena occurs worldwide. Presently, due to the stemming of the flow of vlei water, the burning has ceased and water sport is being practised on the two resulting dams. During the 1984 drought the vlei again started burning in places.

Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre

Operated by the National Zoological Gardens, 40 different rate species from all over the world can be seen. The main aim of the centre is to augment the Zoo's breeding programme for various endangered animals.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Agricultural Show – March

Diamond Festival – October

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors – Cycling, Scuba Diving, Water sports

WHERE TO STAY

Scott's Manor Guest House

Experience luxurious accommodation in an elegant and gracious manor house, relax in peaceful surroundings with excellent cuisine. Ideal for conferences away from the hectic city rush. Only 25 km from Johannesburg. With one Golden Suite and eight double rooms, all en-suite and equipped with tv, tea / coffee facilities, Scott's Manor is perfect for a short breakaway or business stopover.

Accommodation in and around Mmabatho