Okiep

Province

Okiep is a town of about 6,304 inhabitants ( 2011 census ) in the village of Nama Khoi, District Namakwa, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. It lies at an altitude of 1,159 meters at the N7 road, eight kilometers north of Springbok and 118 kilometers south of Vioolsdrift.

The city's name (formerly O'okiep ) is derived from the Nama word U- Give, which means " large brackish water source."

History

The city was the first mining town in South Africa and once the center of copper mining in South Africa. End of the 19th century included the copper recovery of the richest in the world. The rich copper deposits have been discovered in 1855 here. Initially the ore with bullock carts from the mines was transported to the port to Port Nolloth to ship it there can, from 1886 with a narrow- gauge railway. Since there was a lack of water for the steam locomotives, the cars were drawn up in 1890 by mules. 1918, the copper mining in Okiep was adjusted.

Attractions

• Spring blossom of Namaqualand
• Ventilation shaft

• Cornish Pumphouse