Potchefstroom

Municipality

Municipality: Potchefstroom Local Municipality
District Municipality: Southern District Municipality

Name

The name Potchefstroom is unclear, but the Pot refers to Potgieter, while Stroom means stream. It is speculated that the Chef part is short for Chief, hence the name would mean Chief Potgieter Stream.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Oak Avenue (or Tom Street) is claimed to be the longest lane of oak trees in the southern hemisphere. It is 6,84Km long, lined with 710 oak trees. Pretorius Museum depicts the lifestyle of the 19th century. Being the oldest modern town in the northern parts of South Africa, there are several buildings, now museums, that offer a glimpse of how townsfolk lived then. There are 30 schools and training colleges, as well as the North-West University.

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History

In 1837 some pioneers under the leadership of Andries Hendrik Potgieter decided to establish a town on the banks of the Mooi River. The town was laid out in 1838. After the first rains the area was discovered to be in a marsh, and the town was moved about 11Km downstream to its present position.

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Climate

Today's Weather Report for Potchefstroom
The climate is typical highveld climate. Summers are warm with 610mm annual rainfall. Winters are dry, cold and frosty.

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