Thabazimbi
Thabazimbi is a bushveld town in the Waterberg District of north-western Limpopo and the seat of Thabazimbi Local Municipality. It lies at the foot of the Ysterberg, ringed by the Witfonteinrand and Boshofberg with the Kransberg behind it, and includes the township of Regorogile. Long an iron-ore mining town, it now relies on platinum mining nearby, game farming, hunting and eco-tourism around Marakele National Park.
History
The name means 'mountain of iron', after the iron-ore reef discovered by J. H. Williams in 1919. The railway from Rustenburg arrived in the 1930s and large-scale mining followed; the town was proclaimed in 1953. Kumba Iron Ore's mine sent about two million tonnes of ore a year by rail to Mittal's steelworks until operations ended in 2015 after a major rock fall. In 2003 the town made headlines as the site of the Springboks' controversial 'Kamp Staaldraad' training camp.
Getting there
Roughly three hours' drive north-west of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The R510 runs south to Northam and Rustenburg and north to Lephalale, while the R516 links Thabazimbi east to Bela-Bela. Marakele National Park is about 20 km north-east of town.
Weather & climate
Hot, semi-arid bushveld climate with summer rainfall: hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms and dry, sunny winters with mild days and cold nights.
Things to do
- Golf at Thabazimbi Golf ClubBushveld course in Ben Alberts Reserve where game wanders across the fairways; visitors welcome every day.
- Marakele 4x4 TrailSelf-drive 4x4 route inside Marakele National Park climbing into the Waterberg mountains. sa-venues.com/things-to-do/limpopo/marakele-4x4-trail
- Thaba'Nkwe MTB & Hiking Trails15 km mountain-bike loop with variations, from easy family rides to steep climbs, on a 350 ha game reserve; also used by hikers. Riders sign indemnity at the lodge. sa-venues.com/things-to-do/limpopo/thaba-nkwe-mtb-trails
Things to see
- Ben Alberts Nature ReserveAbout 2,000 ha reserve just outside town with giraffe, white rhino, eland and zebra; rated highly for birding and home to a vulture restaurant and the Thabazimbi golf course.
- Marakele National ParkSANParks Big Five park in the Waterberg mountains about 20 km north-east of town, known for yellowwood and cedar trees, 4x4 routes and one of the world's largest Cape vulture colonies; camps are Bontle and Tlopi. sanparks.org/parks/marakele
- Waterberg MeanderScenic route through the Waterberg biosphere savannah, starting at Marakele National Park in the south-west. sa-venues.com/things-to-do/limpopo/waterberg-meander
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Gereformeerde Kerk Thabazimbi
Reformed church congregation.
Places of Worship
Thabazimbi, Limpopo
SAPS Thabazimbi
Thabazimbi police station.
Police & Emergency
Thabazimbi, Limpopo
Thabazimbi Local Municipality
Seat of the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in the Waterberg District.
Municipalities
Thabazimbi, Limpopo
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