Welkom
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Welkom
Matjhabeng | ||
---|---|---|
PO box 9460 | ||
Area code | 057 | |
Website | Official website |
Welkom (Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈvɛlkɔm]) is the second-largest city in the Free State province of South Africa, located about 140 kilometres (90 mi) northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital. Welkom is also known as Circle City, City Within A Garden, Mvela and Matjhabeng. The city's Sesotho name, Matjhabeng means 'where nations meet', derived from the migrant labour system, where people of various countries such as Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique etc. met to work in the mines of the gold fields.
A settlement was laid out on a farm named "Welkom" (which is the Afrikaans and Dutch word for "welcome") after gold was discovered in the region, and it was officially proclaimed a town in 1948. The town became a municipality in 1961.[2] It now falls in the Matjhabeng Municipality, part of the Lejweleputswa District. Welkom was officially declared a city on 14 February 1968.
History
Much of the history of Welkom is centred around the
Early mining activity
Prospector Arthur Megson heard of their venture and decided to investigate near the town of Odendaalsrus in 1904. He gathered samples of exposed strata near an outcrop, which by then was part of Hendrik Petrus Klopper's farm Aandenk. He too did not succeed in obtaining any interest from companies until October 1932, when he presented his findings to Allan Roberts and Mannie Jacobs. The area needed to be tested by drilling, and the first borehole was started on 5 May 1933. Jacobs managed to interest two men, Fritz Marx and Peter Woolf, in the venture and the Wit Extensions Company was formed later that year. Although the borehole, which by then penetrated more than 1200 metres, yielded 120-inch
However, the discovery of gold-bearing reef in the
Development of the settlement
Welkom officially came into being on 15 April 1947, six years after the first mining lease in the area was awarded to the St Helena Gold Mining Company, and was proclaimed a town on 23 July 1948. On 14 February 1968, after 21 years of existence, Welkom received city status, and celebrated this event with the opening of the Civic Centre by Mrs Martie du Plessis. The construction of this building commenced in 1964.
Apartheid era
During Apartheid in the years of segregation, the townships of Thabong and Bronville were established for black and Coloured people, respectively.
On 8 December 1976, Welkom experienced an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the
During the decline of the Apartheid era, race relations were particularly problematic as many
Aggrieved residents of the city then sought to humiliate him to dissuade him from authorising the erection of the facility, by assaulting him and a security guard, while he was officiating at the event. Four men were arrested and charged with the assault.[4]
1990–present
On 20 March 1990, Welkom was struck by a multi-vortex tornado which went through the suburbs. This tornado was part of a 240 km long storm front and had a width of up to 1.7 km. This weather event proved to be the most devastating recorded, from the financial and insurance point of view, in South Africa to date, destroying 4,000 homes.[5][6][7]
On 26 September 1990, Welkom experienced a seismic event with a magnitude of 4.2, which resulted in two deaths and five injuries.[5]
The mining company
Geography
Topography
Koppie Alleen is the only hill near Welkom and therefore is aptly named for its oddity. The terrain elevation above sea level is 1435 metres. The largest water catchment is the Sand River to the south-east of Welkom in Virginia's direction. Large saline pans such as Flamingo Pan and Theronia Pan are situated to the south-west of Welkom. Flamingo Pan is coded as an Important Bird Area (IBA)[9]
Communities
- Rheederpark
- West bedelia
- Welkom ext
- Jim Fouche Park
- Alma
- Flamingo Park
- Seemeeu Park
- Dagbreek
- Reitzpark
- Stateway
- Doorn
- Welkom Central
- Jan Cilliers Park
- Naudeville
- St Helena
- Bedelia
- Lake View South
- Lake View North
- Orangia
- Welkom North
- Riebeeckstad
- Sandania
- Bronville
- Thabong
Streetscape
Welkom is well known for its efficient road traffic design mainly through the use of traffic circles, which has been the basis of worldwide studies.[citation needed] This is encouraged by flow design, the minimum of stop streets and the total absence of traffic lights and parking meters in the Central Business District. There are currently 33 large traffic circles.
Monuments and public art
Welkom has several monuments including:
- Aandenk Monument – This borehole memorial is shaped in the form of a key and symbolises the unlocking of the Free State goldfields.(next to Allanridge)
- Afrikaans Language Monument
- Joanne Pim Monument
- WWII Monument
- Voortrekker Memorial
- Dog Monument
- Old Indaba Bluegum Tree
- MOTH Memorial
- Gold Museum – A complete history of gold and its mining and production was on display. St Helena Gold Mine is not a working mine any more. Until a few years ago It was still possible to visit the mine and its wine cellar at 857m below surface but it does not exist any more.
- Museum of Welkom – The public library houses a display of the discovery of gold in Welkom, the town's history and bird and animal life indigenous to this region.
- Local Apartheid Memorial – commemorating local citizen's contribution to the Struggle in the Apartheidyears.
Climate
Welkom normally receives about 401 mm to 550 mm of rain per year, dependent on wet or dry cycles, with most rainfall occurring mainly during mid-summer. It receives the lowest rainfall (0 mm) in July and the highest (70 mm) in January. The monthly distribution of average daily maximum temperatures ranges from 17 °C in June to 29 °C in January. The region is the coldest during July when the mercury drops to 0 °C on average during the night.
Climate data for Welkom | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32 (90) |
32 (90) |
30 (86) |
27 (81) |
23 (73) |
21 (70) |
20 (68) |
23 (73) |
27 (81) |
30 (86) |
31 (88) |
32 (90) |
27 (81) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17 (63) |
17 (63) |
15 (59) |
11 (52) |
6 (43) |
3 (37) |
2 (36) |
5 (41) |
9 (48) |
13 (55) |
14 (57) |
16 (61) |
11 (51) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 53.5 (2.11) |
22.7 (0.89) |
47.5 (1.87) |
18 (0.7) |
16.9 (0.67) |
3 (0.1) |
1 (0.0) |
12.8 (0.50) |
7.6 (0.30) |
29.2 (1.15) |
63.2 (2.49) |
63.9 (2.52) |
339.3 (13.3) |
Average rainy days | 11 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 79 |
Source 1: My Weather 2[10] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: World Weather Online[11] |
Flora and fauna
Welkom is situated on two vegetation units, the Western Free State Clay Grassland and Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland, these are differentiated by soil types, rainfall and frost.[12] The dominant grass species are Hyparrhenia hirta, Themeda triandra, Sporobolus pyramidalis, Eragrostis sp, Aristida sp, and other grasses and herbs. Trees and shrubs are infrequent due to heavy frost in the winter months.
The grasslands surrounding Welkom also include small mammal communities of
Local geology: gold-bearing reefs
Welkom is located on the south-western corner of the
The De Bron Fault
The Free State Goldfields are divided into two sections,[16] cut by the north–south striking De Bron Fault. This major structure has a vertical displacement of about 1500m as well as a lateral shift of 4 km. A number of other major faults lie parallel to the De Bron Fault. Dips occur mostly towards the east, averaging 30 degrees but this becomes steeper approaching the De Bron Fault. To the east of the fault, a dip occurs towards the west at 20 degrees, although structurally complex dips of up to 40 degrees have also been measured. Between these two blocks, lies the uplifted horst block of the West Rand Group of sediments with no reef preserved.[17]
The western margin area is bound by
Basal Reef
The Basal Reef, is the most common reef horizon. It varies from a single pebble lag to channels of more than 2m thick. It is commonly overlain by shale, which thickens northwards.
Leader Reef
The second major reef is the Leader Reef, located 15-20m above the Basal Reef. This is mostly mined at shafts to the south. Further north, it becomes poorly developed with erratic grades. The reef consists of multiple
A selected mining cut on the most economic horizon is often undertaken. The B Reef is a highly channelised ore-body located 140m
Fossils of Matjhabeng
A 2007 palaeontological study done in greater Matjhabeng began a programme of excavation of an early
In total, 29 taxa, including the oldest Ancylotherium and Megalotragus fossils in southern Africa were recovered. Some of the taxa from Matjhabeng are shared with Langebaanweg, and others with Makapansgat, confirming the intermediate status of this locality. Isotopic analysis revealed the earliest indication of extensive grasslands in South Africa, though these grasslands were part of an environmental mosaic that included significant woodland, and probable wetland, components.[18]
Demographics
According to the
Economy
Mining
Gold and uranium
Welkom's economy centres on the mining of gold and uranium and is the hub of the Free State Goldfields. Welkom has contributed 21% to the free world's gold sales.[citation needed] The city and immediate surroundings are dominated by the headgears and reduction plants of several gold and uranium mining companies, including St Helena, Unisel, Welkom, Western Holdings, Free State Geduld, President Brand, President Steyn, Erfdeel Dankbaarheid, Phakisa,[19] and Tshepong.
Recent discoveries
In Sept 2016 Harmony Gold and its partner White Rivers Exploration declared an as to then unknown gold ore body near the current Target shaft. This resource is estimated to have a mine life of about 30 years. [20]
Coal
Welkom also has significant coal reserves. The Theunissen coal field is located in the districts of Theunissen and Bultfontein, only some 12 km to the south of Welkom. The section of the reserve able to be mined covers an area of more than 23,500 hectares.[21]
Diamonds
Located about 7.5 km from Welkom, a
Petra Diamonds operated the Star mine, a fissure 40 km south of Welkom. The Star mine was renowned for its consistent production of high value diamonds. In 2013, Petra commenced a disposal process of its Fissure Mines portfolio. This process did not result in any acceptable offers for the mines and Star was subsequently placed into care and maintenance.
Other minerals
Other minerals found in the Welkom vicinity include
Industry
Due to the declining gold price in the nineties, the manufacturing industry was promoted as a further means to support the local economy. Heavy machinery support for mining can be found in the Voorspoed area. Various other maintenance industries and services are well founded in Welkom which include engineering, and mechanical repairs.
Welkom produces goods such as steel, lumber, dairy products, and beef.[22]
The city also hosts several major industries such as Coca-Cola and South African Breweries.
Agriculture
The high water table in the north-western part of the district makes it very suitable for maize production and should remain an important maize producing area. The district is mostly covered by non-arable, moderate potential grazing land as well as marginal potential arable land.[23] The Welkom region forms part of the Maize Triangle, which stretches over three of South Africa's provinces. The region is also a major producer of sunflowers, poultry and beef cattle.
Retail
- Goldfields Mall
- Amogela Mall (formerly Liberty Centre)
- Boitumelo Mall
- Welkom Square
- Goldfields Casino
- Wernhill Shopping centre (Main shop Checkers (supermarket chain))
- Welkom Shopping Centre (Main shop Pick 'n pay)
- Welkom retail centre (Main shops OK & Shoprite)
- Boxer shopping centre
- Shopritecentre
Sport
Motor-sports
Welkom's most notable sport feature is the multi-million Rand Phakisa Freeway situated between Welkom and Odendaalsrus, which opened in 1999.[24] Phakisa Freeway is an international standard, multi-purpose motor sport facility. The track features a 4,24 km road course as well as a 2,4 km banked oval track similar to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada, United States.[24] It is one of the few oval speedways outside of the United States and the only one in Africa.
The circuit hosted
Soccer
Harmony F.C.'s homeground is the Zuka Baloyi Stadium, a multi-sport facility, that is currently mostly used for soccer. Another soccer stadium is Vuyo Charles Stadium which was formerly known as Thabong Stadium.
Rugby
The
Gliding
Welkom's airport is also used on a regular basis for gliding championships on a National and International basis.
Stadia and other sports facilities
Parks and greenspace
- Central Park
- Peter Pan Park (In ruins due to lack of maintenance from the municipality)
- Van Riebeeck Park
- West Park
Education
Welkom has a well established education system with some schools reaching their 60-year anniversary. Some prominent schools include:
Primary education
- Aurora Primary
- Welkom Preparatory School
- Welkom Volkskool
- Brandwag primary
- Sandvliet Primary
- Dagbreek Primere
- Bedelia Primary
- Steenwyk Primary
- The Prairie Primary
- Welkom Islamic Primary
- Koppie Alleen Primary
- Maryland International College
- Naudeville Primary
- St Helena Primary
- President Brand Primary
- Reitzpark Primary
- Rheederpark Primary
- Riebeeckstad Primary
- Ebenpan Primary
- Western Holdings Primary
- Adamsonvlei Primary
- Kingdom Academy
- Dunamis Christian Primary
- Vierhoek Primary
- st Dominic's college
- st Andrew's primary
- Edmund Rice Primary
- Polokong Primary
- Paballong Primary
- Iketsetseng Primary
- Tsakani Primary
- Tseolopele Primary
- Dirisanang Primary
- Mojaho Primary
- Seabo Primary
- Bofihla Primary
- Daluvuyo Primary
- Lehakwe
- Mokgwabong
- Lemotso
- Dr. Mgoma
- Dirisanang
Hani Park Primary
- Iketsetseng
- Moremaphofu
- Njala Primary
- Embunizweni
- Thabong school
- Tswelopele
- Setshabelo
- Hlolohelo
- Lenyora
- Thembekile
- Mantshebo
- Seabo
- Bronville Primary
GoldenPark Primary
Thabong Primary
Secondary education
- St Andrews – established in 1963
- St Dominic's College
- Welkom High – established in 1954[26]
- Welkom Gymnasium-established in 1953
- Welkom Islamic
- Edmund Rice Combined
- Adamsonvlei Combined
- Dunamis Christian
- Vierhoek Combined
- Riebeeckstad Hoërskool
- Goudveld Hoërskool[27]
- Unitas
- Leseding Technical School
- Riebeeckstad High School
- Kingdom Academy
- Edu-College
- Rheederpark High School
- Welkom Secondary
- Paballong Combined
- Welkom Secondary school
- Lenakeng Comprehensive
- Lebokgang Secondary
- Thotagauta Secondary
- Lekgarietse Secondary
- Teto High
- Lephola Secondary
- Letsete Secondary
- Nanabolela Secondary
- Welkom Technical High(H.T.S) – established in 1961
Special needs schools
- Amari for mentally handicapped
- St Vincenzo School for the Deaf (located at St. Dominic's Catholic Church)
- Orion (Formerly Japie smit)
- Leboneng Special School
Tertiary education
- Welkom Technical College
- Welkom Technological Institute
- Welkom Nursing College
- FET College Goldfields – geared towards employment opportunities[28]
- Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) satellite campus – is also situated in Welkom. CUT's core competencies are in science, engineering, and technology.[29]
Infrastructure
Transportation
Road
Welkom is connected to Kroonstad to the north-east by the R730 and the R34. It is also connected to Brandfort and Bloemfontein in the south and to Bothaville and Klerksdorp in the north by the R30.
Welkom is connected to
.Rail
There is a goods rail link with Hennenman to the main Johannesburg – Bloemfontein line. Trains from there go to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Air
Welkom is served by a small airport. There are no scheduled flights.
Health systems
Welkom hosts a number of public and private hospitals as well as several specialised clinics:
- Bongani Regional Hospital (Public)
- Ernest Oppenheimer Hospital (Semi-private) (reopened)[30]
- Mediclinic Welkom (Private)[31]
- St Helena Hospital (Private)
- Rand Mutual Care Hospital (New: Opened on 16 April 2016)[32]
Various hospices also exist.[33] Thabong and Bronville also host various primary care clinics.
Notable people
- Canonical Ltd.
- Judy Croome (née Heinemann) – author and poet, matriculated Welkom High School (1975)
- Rev Stephen Brislin – Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cape Town, born in Welkom on 24 September 1956.[35]
Sportspeople
- Jan Hendrik de Beer (Jannie) – Springbok rugby player
- Wynand Olivier – Springbok rugby player
- Khwezi Mkhafu-rugby player
- Hannes Strydom – Springbok rugby player
- Bradley Moolman – rugby player
- C.J. van der Linde – Springbok rugby player
- Joubert Horn – rugby player
- Jandré Marais – rugby player, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Peet Marais – rugby player, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Dewald Pretorius – rugby player
- Franco Mostert – Springbok rugby player
- Louis Strydom – rugby player
- Whestley Moolman-rugby player
- Inus Kritzinger – rugby player
- Bloemfontein Celtic in the Premier Soccer League
- Ajax Cape Townin the Premier Soccer League
- Bidvest Witsin the Premier Soccer League
- Gerard Louis Brophy – cricketer
- Brian Mervin McMillan – won South African Cricket Annual Cricketer of the Year awards in 1991 and 1996
- Dean Elgar – Protea cricketer. On 11 March 2017, against New Zealand he became the first South African opener to face 200 or more ball in both innings of a Test.[36]
- Thandi Tshabalala
- Seabelo Senatla – professional rugby player
- Elinda Vorster (Rademeyer) – South African athlete who competed for South Africa to reach the semi-finals of the Women's 200 metres event at the 1992 Summer Olympics inside the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain in August 1992, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Linda Olivier – South African women cricketer and golfer, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Gerrie Sonnekus – Springbok rugby player, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Lukas van Biljon – Springbok rugby player, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Zarck Visser – South African long jumper (Athletics) – silver medal at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Christo Ferreira – Springbok rugby player,[37] who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
- Jaco van Zyl – South African golfer, who matriculated at Welkom-Gimnasium
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Census 2011: Main Place: Welkom". Census 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ISBN 0947042067.
- ^ "An earthquake in Welkom, OFS, devastates the flat block Tempesthof". South African History Online. 9 December 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "Mayor of Welkom, in the Free State, is tarred and feathered". South African History Online. 13 May 1989. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b Vista News
- ^ Goliger A.M. Retief J.V. Severe wind phenomena in Southern Africa and the related damage Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 95 (2007) 1065–1078
- ^ Grobler R A framework for modelling losses arising from natural catastrophes in South Africa, University of Pretoria July 1996
- ^ "Pamodzi mine liquidators slug it out". Mail & Guardian. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "CWAC | Registered CWAC sites listing".
- ^ "November Climate History for Welkom | Local | South Africa".
- ^ "Welkom Monthly Climate Averages".
- ^ Low, A.B. & Rebelo, A.G. (eds.) 1996. Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland . Pretoria: DEAT. This publication is available online at http://www.ngo.grida.no/soesa/nsoer/Data/vegrsa/vegstart.htm
- ^ De Rust Private Nature Reserve Homepage
- ^ James, D.E. Niu, F. Rokosky, J. Crustal structure of the Kaapvaal craton and its significance for early crustal evolutiona, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5241 Department of Earth Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251, USA
- ^ Phillips G.N. Widespread fluid infiltration during metamorphism of the Witwatersrand goldfields: generation of chloritoid and pyrophyllite, Department of Geology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1988
- ^ Dwyer, G. The geology of the Welkom Goldfields with special reference to the A, B and Beatrix reefs, Rhodes University, 1993
- ^ Mineral resources and mineral reserves 2013 | Free State operations
- ^ D.J.; Brophy, J.K.; Lewis, P.J.; Kennedy, A.M.; Stidham, T.A.; Carlson, K.B.; Hancox, P. John, 2010: Preliminary investigation of Matjhabeng, a Pliocene fossil locality in the Free State of South Africa. Palaeontologia Africana 45
- ^ Harmony | Home
- ^ "White Rivers Exploration defines massive gold resource". 8 September 2016.
- ^ McCarthy, T. S. Pretorius, J. P. Coal mining on the Highveld and its implications for future water quality in the Vaal River system, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand
- ^ "Melkkan / 2dag / SURVIVOR VAKANSIE PROGRAM / 5-7 April 2017 / 12-14 April 2017" (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "AGRICULTURAL LAND AND PROJECTS/PROGRAMME/SUPPORT PROFILE" (PDF). Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Phakisa Freeway". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ Griffons | Home Page
- ^ "Welkom High School". WelkomHigh.
- ^ Goudveld Webwerf
- ^ Welcome to the Goldfields FET College
- ^ "CUT | CUT, South Africa - Thinking Beyond". www.cut.ac.za.
- ^ "New lease on life for hospital". Netwerk24. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ "Mediclinic Welkom".
- ^ "RMA opens own Care Facility in Welkom". RMA. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ Nhiwatiwa, R; Sepitla, C; Free State Outcome of hospital-based TB in the Goldfields area, South African Medical Journal; Vol 94, No 4 (2004)
- ^ "The Shuttleworth Foundation Home". The Shuttleworth Foundation.
- ^ "SATURDAY PROFILE | Stephen Brislin: The SA cardinal from Welkom who can vote for a new pope".
- ^ "Lowest scoring rate in 19 years".
- ^ "Christo Ferreira | Rugby Union | Players and Officials". ESPNscrum.