Secunda is surrounded by five coal mines that form the largest underground coal mining complex in South Africa, which has this region playing a crucial part in delivering fuel to power South Africa. It is also the only place in the world where the coal is turned into petrol for use on a commercial basis.
Secunda has a Mississippi style casino and country club - called Graceland - which makes for entertainment on a stopover trip. [http://www.graceland.co.za Tel: +27 17 620 1000]
The town of Secunda's existence is due to the 1973 oil crisis and it came about when the construction of ‘Sasol Two’ commenced nearby. It was named so, for being the second extraction refinery location for oil from coal. Sasol Two and Sasol Three produce synthetic fuel, diesel, related fuels and petrochemicals from coal gasification and so the town was built to house the labour force and has since become a thriving community.
