The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Ventersdorp

Afrikaans name: Ventersdorp

Ventersdorp CBD

Ventersdorp CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

North West

Ventersdorp is a small town in the North West province of South Africa. In 1866 a Dutch Reformed Church was established on a farm, named Roodepoort, owned by Johannes Venter. The town that grew around the church was named Ventersdorp after him.

The town is in the Vaal River valley which is a very fertile area and consequently a lot of crops are farmed in the area. There are large silos on the edge of the town. Over the years there has also been some diamond and gold mining in the area.

Ventersdorp is blessed with plenty of water. The 'Eye of the Schoonspruit' provides plenty of water throughout the year.

There are a number of attractions in the area including Swartrand Caves, Rietspruit Dam Resort, which offers great fishing, as well as Klerkskraal and Elandskuil Dams.

Amongst the historical sites of interest are a Water Mill built in 1866, a Boer fort, a memorial to Boer soldiers who died during the Anglo-Boer War, and the Boer women and children who lost their lives in concentration camps. In the Ventersdorp cemetery there is the 'Grave with eternal flowers'. It is the grave of an Irish soldier, named G. Shaw, who was executed by the British for assisting the Boer community. The tree near his grave is often in flower giving rise to the name.

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Entering Ventersdorp

Above - The road leading into Ventersdorp

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Dutch Reformed Church

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1912)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Ventersdorp

Above - Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (1912) - Ventersdorp

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

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