Lichtenburg

Afrikaans name: Lichtenburg

Lichtenburg CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

North West

Lichtenburg, which means 'town of light', was established in 1873. The town really took off in 1926 when Jacobus Voorendyk discovered a diamond on his farm. The resulting boom in the towns fortunes only lasted around 10 years. Boer leader General De la Rey, who served in the House of Assembly for the town, is buried in Lichtenburg.

Today maize is the main commercial activity in the area and the town lies within the 'maize triangle'. Cement is also produced in the surrounding area. Two of of these factories are amongst the largest cement factories in the Southern Hemisphere.

Lichtenburg has one of the biggest art galleries in South Africa and includes works by many well-known artists. You can also visit the remains of the diamond mines which were, at one time, the richest public diggings ever. Divers will be interested in Wondergat which is 40 km from the town. It is a deep sinkhole where you can do deep freshwater diving and is one of the 'must do' dives in South Africa.

Nature lovers will want to visit the game breeding centre . The breeding centre breeds some non-indigenous species such as Pygmy Hippo and Addax. There is also a game park which houses animals such as White Rhino, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest and Burchell's Zebra. It is also a popular bird-watching spot.

Would you recommend a visit to Lichtenberg?

Above - A dam in one of the suburbs in Lichtenburg

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Statue honouring Generaal De La Rey

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 162

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 87

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 216

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 317

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 339

go! Drive & Camp No 24 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 46

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 212

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 129

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 266

North West Info - Lichtenburg

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