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Bethulie

Municipality

District Municipality: Xhariep District Municipality

Name

Bethulie is derived from Bethulia, which means Chosen by God

Attractions

The original mission buildings still stand. One of them is the oldest remaining dwelling built by Eurpean settlers. It was built by Rev Jean Pellisier, the first French missionary to be stationed there. The Gariep Dam is close by. There is a nature reserve in town. A combined road-rail bridge, the Hennie Steyn Bridge, crosses the Gariep River at Bethulie. The bridge is 1'152Km long, and 51,5m high - the longest in South Africa, and claimed to be the longest in the southern hemisphere. The Caledon River joins the Gariep River to the east of Bethulie. The land, 22'000Ha, between the two rivers is a game farm: Tussen-die-riviere Game Farm.

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History

Bethulie was established in 1829 by the London Missionary Society for some San people. It was originally known as Moordenaarspoort (Murderer's Pass) because of a battle between Griqua raiders and Sotho tribes. In 1833 the French Missionary Society took over control of the mission and renamed it Bethulia. In 1863 a town was established and called Heidelberg. In 1872 it was renamed after the mission station.

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