Rustenburg
The North West Province of South Africa has a reputation for a laid-back, sleepy pace of life and small welcoming towns. But scratch beneath the surface and you will be surprised to find that in fact this area of the country is positively bursting with activities for the tourist and resident alike, from exceptional game parks and nature reserves to fully enclosed holiday resorts and an excellent range of sporting facilities. Rustenburg, meaning 'place of rest' in Afrikaans, has a vibrancy that belies its naming, being situated at the centre of the North West Province geographically, economically and politically. And today this city, which started out as a rural farming community and played a significant historical role in the defining of the nation, is becoming one of the growth centres of Northern South Africa, a fact that was strongly affirmed when it was accorded a status as one of the 10 host cities of the 2010 World Cup.
The climate of North West Province is subtropical, with humid warm summers and mild winters that make it hospitable for holidaymakers all year round. Game viewing opportunities in this part of the country are absolutely unparalleled, with a wide variety of game reserves on offer. Kgaswane Game Reserve has 2357ha of vehicular and hiking lands. Madikew Game Reserve and Groot Marico Park north of Pilanesberg are also enormous conservation and transition zones, with Madikwe containing the Big Five of African wildlife. Pilanesberg itself is practically on the doorstep of Rustenburg, on the floor of an ancient volcano, and contains all of the most prized viewing mammal species in the country including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
For all the overwhelming natural beauty offered within this spectacular region, those who seek more civilized forms of recreation are also amply served. Sun City with the Lost City is a self-contained luxury holiday resort with an African theme; visitors can be entertained from morning till late into the night with casinos, the Valley of the Waves, championship golf courses, acres of swimming pools and much more. Sports facilities are also abundant in Rustenburg itself, with the 42 000 seating Royal Bafokeng Stadium, recently built for the 2010 World Cup, being a standout grounds, as well as rugby and cricket clubs. The Rustenburg Skydiving Club, situated at the Local Municipality Airfield, has skydiving, parachuting, tandem skydiving, accelerated freefall and static linecourses.
Rustenburg's enviable position as the hub of the mining industry in Northern South Africa has led in recent years to a rapid economic expansion, and today it is reported to be the fastest growing city in South Africa. The two largest platinum mines in the world and the largest platinum refinery are situated within Rustenburg; additionally the region contains large reserves of asbestos, tin, chrome, lead, marble, granite and slate. As a result of the mining, Rustenburg has seen a high level of investment into social development, which has seen the standard of life for its once relatively poor local residents improve dramatically in recent years. The Greater Rustenburg Community Foundation was established to ensure that all levels of society in this area benefit materially from the wealth generated there. Education is also well catered for with institutions including Rustenburg Educational College, St Augustine's English Christian School and Ruskaal Primary amongst others catering for all ages. And with highly modern shopping malls, sports, good quality schooling, close proximity to metropolitan Gauteng, affordable housing, this is an ideal time for the real estate investor to consider the city of Rustenburg!
The climate of North West Province is subtropical, with humid warm summers and mild winters that make it hospitable for holidaymakers all year round. Game viewing opportunities in this part of the country are absolutely unparalleled, with a wide variety of game reserves on offer. Kgaswane Game Reserve has 2357ha of vehicular and hiking lands. Madikew Game Reserve and Groot Marico Park north of Pilanesberg are also enormous conservation and transition zones, with Madikwe containing the Big Five of African wildlife. Pilanesberg itself is practically on the doorstep of Rustenburg, on the floor of an ancient volcano, and contains all of the most prized viewing mammal species in the country including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
For all the overwhelming natural beauty offered within this spectacular region, those who seek more civilized forms of recreation are also amply served. Sun City with the Lost City is a self-contained luxury holiday resort with an African theme; visitors can be entertained from morning till late into the night with casinos, the Valley of the Waves, championship golf courses, acres of swimming pools and much more. Sports facilities are also abundant in Rustenburg itself, with the 42 000 seating Royal Bafokeng Stadium, recently built for the 2010 World Cup, being a standout grounds, as well as rugby and cricket clubs. The Rustenburg Skydiving Club, situated at the Local Municipality Airfield, has skydiving, parachuting, tandem skydiving, accelerated freefall and static linecourses.
Rustenburg's enviable position as the hub of the mining industry in Northern South Africa has led in recent years to a rapid economic expansion, and today it is reported to be the fastest growing city in South Africa. The two largest platinum mines in the world and the largest platinum refinery are situated within Rustenburg; additionally the region contains large reserves of asbestos, tin, chrome, lead, marble, granite and slate. As a result of the mining, Rustenburg has seen a high level of investment into social development, which has seen the standard of life for its once relatively poor local residents improve dramatically in recent years. The Greater Rustenburg Community Foundation was established to ensure that all levels of society in this area benefit materially from the wealth generated there. Education is also well catered for with institutions including Rustenburg Educational College, St Augustine's English Christian School and Ruskaal Primary amongst others catering for all ages. And with highly modern shopping malls, sports, good quality schooling, close proximity to metropolitan Gauteng, affordable housing, this is an ideal time for the real estate investor to consider the city of Rustenburg!
