Stilfontein
The Southern Region of the North West Province is home to an area called The KOSH area which incorporates Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartebeesfontein. It is a beautiful region with green maize and yellow sunflower fields, bushveld plains and the occasional wild olive or umbrella thorn tree rising above them. It is a region that will get the outdoor adventurers blood pumping with hiking trails, biking, abseiling etc. Jack Scott discovered and developed the outcropping gold reef in the area and in 1949 Stilfontein was established as a residential centre for three large gold mines, the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein mines. Stilfontein made headline news on the 9 March 2005 when it was hit by a mining related earthquake. The earthquake damaged a number of buildings in the town and was followed shortly afterwards by the liquidation of Stilfontein Gold Mining and ultimately the closure of Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines. Today the town which is situated 130km from Johannesburg and 180km from Mafikeng is renowned for its hospitality and hosts the annual Rose Festival in spring when the famous Stilfontein roses bloom.
Attractions:
The town has a number of nearby attractions which include the Hartebeestfontein Gold Mine where visitors can witness a gold pouring session as well as take a tour of the mine. The Golden Village Project is a social community outreach and rehabilitation centre for miners and their families, this initiative offers mine tours, arts and crafts, and also includes some superb leatherwork. And for those who feel out of place off the golf course, the Stilfontein Golf Club is a 9 hole course is open every day to visitors and members alike.
Climate:
Stilfontein normally receives about 474mm of rain per year, with most rainfall occurring mainly during mid summer. It receives the lowest rainfall (0mm) in June and the highest (90mm) in January. The average midday temperatures for Stilfontein range from 18 degrees Celsius in June to 29.1 degrees Celsius in January. The region is the coldest during June when the mercury drops to 0°C on average during the night.