Zeerust

Province

Zeerust (also Ikageleng ) is a city in the South African province northwest. It is located in the municipality in the district Ramotshere Moiloa Modiri Molema Ngaka.

Geography

Zeerust has 9,093 inhabitants ( 2011 census ).

At Zeerust the Township Ikageleng heard ( German about: The place that we have built for us), whose name is sometimes used for the entire city.

Zeerust lies on the Klein Marico River and thus in the Marico region, which is formed from the Groot Marico River and the Klein Marico River. Zeerust is the largest city within a radius of 50 kilometers. The city is located about 240 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg. The N4, which connects Johannesburg and about 50 kilometers away, Botswana, passes through the town.

History

The original name of the farm on which the town was built, was Sebatlani ( German: Dusty place ). She was one of Caspar Hendrik Coetzee, who had bought it in 1858. Later the farm in Hazenjacht and finally in Hazia Hazeah or has been renamed. Coetzee made ​​1864 a church and a fort built on the site, but died during construction. 1866 went over the farm to Diederik Jacobus Coetzee, who sold as building land plots from 1867 to the farm, even before the permission to erect a settlement was granted.

The name was originally Coetzee 's Rust ( Coetzee rest); he was later abbreviated to Zeerust. 1936 Zeerust the municipality status was granted. Previously the community Jacobsdal had passed some ten kilometers to the south. Zeerust was more important than Jacobsdal soon as it was due to several major traffic routes.

The most commonly spoken languages ​​in Zeerust are Tswana and Afrikaans. The community Zeerust was renamed after the end of apartheid in Ramotshere Moiloa. It was named after a local chief who had fought against apartheid.

Economy and Transport

Zeerust is an important commercial center for the area. The area is characterized by large livestock farmers. Wheat, maize, tobacco and citrus fruits are grown. In addition, in the area of lead and chromium ores are mined. The N4 runs east -west direction through Zeerust and is the main traffic route of the city. Other highways lead from Zeerust to Gaborone and after Mahikeng. Zeerust lies on the railway line Johannesburg Mahikeng which is scheduled to no longer operated in passenger transport. However, special trains such as the Pride of Africa continue to go about Zeerust.

Attractions

• The Anglican church of 1867 can be visited.
• The Zeerust Museum presents cultural and historical exhibits from the Marico region.
• Nearby are the ruins of Kaditswene, which was once the largest Iron Age, consisting of stone houses settlement in southern Africa are.

Personalities

• Sydney Jacobson, Baron Jacobson (1908-1988), British journalist and publisher, born in Zeerust
• Mogoeng Mogoeng ( b. 1961 ), South African jurist, born in Zeerust