Okiep
Afrikaans name: Okiep

Okiep
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Northern Cape
In the small town of Okiep there is a tall, rather odd-looking monument that tells you a lot about the history of Okiep. The monument itself is a ventilation shaft taken from a Cape Copper Company mine. It was built in 1880. The town was founded in one of the richest copper ore areas in the world.
There are a number of historical sites in the area which attract some tourists. The town is also a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Accommodation in OkiepDuring the Anglo-Boer war, in 1902, the British forces withstood a 30-day siege by the Boers. The siege was relieved on the 4th May 1902 when British troops arrived from Port Nolloth.

This old ventilation shaft, preserved from a copper mine, is now a national monument.
Photo © Johan van Zyl

St Augustine's Anglican Church
Photo © Johan van Zyl
References and further reading
Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 355go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Year Published: 2013 - Page: 72
Guide to Sieges of South Africa - Author: Nicki von der Heyde - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 202
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 348
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 167
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 279
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 13
Things ewe never kn'ewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 157