Phalaborwa

Phalaborwa
The entrance sign to Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa Phalaborwa Show map of LimpopoShow map of South AfricaShow all
Coordinates: 23°56′S 31°7′E / 23.933°S 31.117°E / -23.933; 31.117Coordinates: 23°56′S 31°7′E / 23.933°S 31.117°E / -23.933; 31.117
Country	South Africa
Province	Limpopo
District	Mopani
Municipality	Ba-Phalaborwa
Area [1]
• Total	193.33 km2 (74.65 sq mi)
Elevation	437 m (1,434 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	13,108
• Density	68/km2 (180/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	56.8%
• Coloured	1.9%
• Indian/Asian	1.5%
• White	39.4%
• Other	0.4%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	15.10%
• English	11.1%
• Tsonga	10.1%
• Northern Sotho	51.7%
• Other	12.0%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	1389
PO box	1390
Area code	015
Website	Phalaborwa trade and tourism

Phalaborwa (translated to English as better than the south; phala means better than and borwa means south) is a town in the Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. It is located near the confluence of the Ga-Selati River and the Olifants, halfway up along the western border of the Kruger National Park in the Lowveld.

Name[]

The name "Ba-Phalaborwa", given to the area by the Sotho tribes who moved here from the south, means "better than the south". The Sotho mined and smelted copper and iron ore here as far back as 400 AD. Masorini, near Phalaborwa gate, is a reconstructed Ba-Phalaborwa hill village, with huts, grain storage areas, and an iron smelting site.

Surrounding townships[]

There are two townships, Namakgale and Lulekani where the Pedi and Tsonga reside, and rural areas such as Mashishimale, Humulani, Kurhula (Matshama Hi Nkano), Ben Farm (Majeje), Makushane and Ga-Maseke.Ga-selwane.majeje 3 and prieska

Mining[]

Phalaborwa began as a mining town and still is home to Palabora Mining. The massive open pit mine, nearly 2,000 meters across, is Africa's widest manmade hole.^[2]

Tourism[]

Tourism and wildlife play a dominant role in the life of this town. It is the only town in South Africa that borders the Kruger National Park, the Mozambiquan border is only two hours drive away. Lately, with the incorporation of various private game reserves into the conservancy area, Phalaborwa is all but enclaved by nature conservancies. The Hans Merensky Golf Estate is situated on the outskirts of the town.^[3]

Nearby natural attractions are Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes; the Tzaneen fruit farms and Hoedspruit game farms can all be visited within a day.

Transport[]

Air[]

Phalaborwa Airport is a commercial airport serving the town.

Notable people[]

• Tshepo Mangena: cricketer
• Rivoningo Mhlari: businessman
• Dale Steyn: South African cricketer
• Daniel Mminele: South African banker and corporate executive
• Ryan Coetzee: Swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Climate[]

This area, also known as the Valley of the Olifants, has the highest winter temperatures in South Africa. The rainfall is low and the average winter temperatures range from 9 °C to 26 °C. During summer the average temperatures vary from 20 °C to 33 °C with occasional heavy rainfall. The highest recorded temperature was 50 °C in December 2018.^[4]

References[]

External links[]

• Phalaborwa Trade & Tourism
• Phalaborwa: The Town Of Two Summers