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    WELCOME TO
    Postmasburg


About Postmasburg

Postmasburg is situated on the Cape plateau 1 300 metres above sea level, 200 kilometres west-northwest of Kimberley and 240 kilometres east-northeast of Upington. The surrounding area has long been known for its mineral deposits.

The presence of San (Bushman) is evident in the rock-art at Beeshoek that dates from as long as 120 000 years ago. The Tswana and Korana traveled to “Blinkklip” (shining rock) as the town was first known, to obtain “sibilo” – specularite and hematite mined primitively. This substance was mixed with animal fat to form a cosmetic that was applied to the skin for a shiny, red look. Since Casper Venter and his assistant found the first diamond on the town commonage in 1918, several different mines have come and gone and to this day mining has played an important role in the economy of Postmasburg.

The Army Battle School of the South African National Defence Force has been situated at Lohatla outside Postmasburg since the early 1980’s. This has given the town’s economy a considerable boost.


Quick Facts

Province: The Northern Cape
Country: South Africa
Address: Postmasburg, Northern Cape

Why go?

-View 120 000 year old San Rock art at Beeshoek
- Blinkklipkop is an area where archaeological digs have uncovered evidence that Khoisan mined a mineral called Specularite.
- Howitzer Gun Civic Centre that honors soldiers lost in WWII
- Postmas Diamond Mine is an old 45 m (147 feet) deep mine that is now filled with water and fish.
- Experience a night time game drive at the Witsand Nature Reserve which is about 86km's away
- For the adventure seekers, there are plenty of thrilling 4x4 trails, hiking and biking routes in the area.

History icon

History

After 1800 the Cape government sent various parties to scout the area where the Griqua has settled in the mean time. The Griqua leader Willem Visser was given Blinkklip as a home by his captain, Andries Waterboer, and it became a permanent Griqua outpost.

After 1833 the London Mission Society started a mission station at Blinkklip. Residents were mainly involved in agriculture.

The British government took over Griqualand West in 1871 and on 14 April 1892 the name of the town was changed to Postmasburg. This happened on request of members of the Reformed Church (Doppers) in honour of the first minister of their church, Dirk Postma. The town was officially founded in 1893 and became a municipality in 1936.