Zeerust

For a definition of the term "zeerust", see the Wiktionary entryzeerust.

Zeerust
Church street in Zeerust
Zeerust Zeerust
Coordinates:25°32′S26°05′E
Country	South Africa
Province	North West
District	Ngaka Modiri Molema
Municipality	Ramotshere Moiloa
Area
• Total	57.09 km2(22.04 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	9,093
• Density	160/km2(410/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
•Black African	57.2%
•White	25.3%
•Coloured	8.5%
•Indian/Asian	7.4%
• Other	1.6%
First languages(2011)
•Afrikaans	35.1%
•Tswana	32.1%
•English	16.5%
•Northern Sotho	1.2%
• Other	15.1%
Time zone	UTC+2(SAST)
Postal code(street)	2865
PO box	2865
Area code	018

Zeerustis a commercialtownsituated in theNgaka Modiri Molemadistrict ofNorth West Province,South Africa.It lies in the Marico valley, approximately 240 kilometres northwest ofJohannesburg.It lies on theN4,the main road link between South Africa andBotswana.There are largecattleranches in the area, as well aswheat,maize,tobaccoandcitrus fruitfarms. There are alsofluoriteandchromitemines in the vicinity. Tourism is also a developing industry.

History

The original name of the farm on which the town was established was Sefatlhane/Sebatlani (meaningdusty place) belonging to Casper Hendrik Coetzee who bought it in 1858. The farm was later renamed Hazenjacht, and after that Hazia/Hazeah.

Casper Coetzee contracted Walter Seymore to build a church and a fort on this farm, but Casper died before this was completed. In 1866, the farm then came into the hands of Diederik Jacobus Coetzee, who saw the potential of developing a town on the farm. He measured out some erven with the idea of starting a town, using "Ox riems" to measure out the plots instead of the accepted surveyors chains.

On 20 March 1867, the first erven of the newly established Coetzee-Rust were sold per public auction inPotchefstroom,before official recognition of the request to start a town was granted. The village gained official recognition in 1868, and later gained alanddrost(magistrate) in November 1871.

The nameCoetzee's Rustwas later abbreviated toZeerust.Municipal status was obtained on 18 March 1936. Zeerust however wasn't the first town in this area. That honour belongs toJacobsdal,a small village about 10 km south of Zeerust situated on the farm Vergenoegd, near the Lucerne station. The popularity of Zeerust as trading centre, caused the demise of Jacobsdal, and now it does not exist as a town anymore.

Natural features

Two rivers flow through Zeerust, the Klein-Marico and the Karee spruit. Irrigation farming just outside the town relies on these water bodies.

Development

Olienhout Park

In Zeerust there is also a small suburb named Olienhout Park, which is located before another suburb named Sandvlakte, with a population of about 250 residents, a few shops, a bar,Lutheranchurch, and a school. There is a township nearby namedIkagelengwith about 1000 people.

Shopping

A mall exists named Autumn Leaf, and a few complexes are in the towns CBD

Mining

The Zeerust Chromium Mine was first developed in 1942. Today this mine is a surface and underground operation, consisting of four distinct surface and underground workings extending 750 hectares. The ore mined is composed of chromite and magnetite.

Access to Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reservecan be accessed through Zeerust about 90 kilometres north of the town.

Access to Botswana

Botswana can be accessed through Zeerust at the Tlokweng Border Control Post, a further 106 km northwest and throughSkilpadshekborder located 52 kilometres (32 mi) north-west.

References and external links

• Pieter de Jager (2001).Die Korannafonteiners.Verlag: Privately published, Ottosdal, 2001.
• General information about Zeerust,tourismnorthwest.co.za. Accessed 6 August 2023.