North West

Location Name

North West

Description

Location: Province in northcentral South Africa.

Motto: Kagiso le Tswelelopele (Setswana for ‘Peace and Prosperity’).

Capital: Mahikeng (previously Mafikeng, alternatively known as Mafeking).

Municipalities: North West has no metropolitan municipalities. Four district municipalities, which are further subdivided into 18 local municipalities.

Principal languages: Setswana 72%, Afrikaans 9%, isiXhosa 6%.

Population: 4 186 984.

Surface area: 104 882 km2.

Environment: Mostly on the Highveld plateau, covered in savannah and Thornfield. Bordered in the south by the Vaal River, and in the north by the Magaliesberg mountain range.

Economy: Mainly mining, represents almost a quarter of South Africa’s mining industry as a whole. Known as the Platinum Province due to the abundance of platinum. Also produces a quarter of south Africa’s gold. Crop-growing – South Africa’s major producer of white maize. Cattle ranches – some of the largest cattle herds in the world. Tourist attractions – several nature reserves, and the internationally famous casino complex, Sun City.

Notable features/Interesting information: Sun City opened in 1979 in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana. Its location in this independent state meant it could offer entertainment that was banned by the South African government, such as gambling and topless revue shows. Several international artists ignored the cultural boycott that the United Nations places on South Africa during the apartheid era and performed there.

Previous name: Incorporates most of the former homeland Bophuthatswana, and parts of the Transvaal province and Cape Province. Officially renamed in 1995.

Official website: http://www.nwpg.gov.za/.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_West_(South_African_province)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_City_(South_Africa)

https://municipalities.co.za/provinces/view/8/north-west

https://www.britannica.com/place/North-West-province-South-Africa

https://www.gov.za/about-sa/south-africas-provinces

Administrative Level

Province

Province

North West