The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Middelburg, Eastern Cape

Afrikaans name: Middelburg (Ooskaap)

Middelburg street

Middelburg street

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Eastern Cape

See also Middelburg in Mpumalanga province

The Eastern Cape town of Middelsburg takes its name from the fact that it is midway between Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. It has a population of around 20,000 inhabitants and was established in 1852.

Middelburg owes its existence to sheep farming and the production of merino wool in particular. The Grootfontein Agricultural College, which was originally a British military camp, specialises in research and the training of people in the wool industry.

There are a number of old buildings that are of interest including those at the Grootfontein Agricultural College. The town has a museum that is in a building which once served as a school for the underpriveleged by the Dutch Reformed church.

Been to Middelburg EC? What's it like?



Reformed Church

Above - Reformed Church (1862) - The oldest Reformed Church in South Africa

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Wardens house

Above - The house where the warden of the first prison stayed

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Middelburg scenery

Above - Beautiful scenery near Middelburg in the Eastern Cape

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Shop in Middelburg area

Above - Roadside shop near Middelburg

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading


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