Northern Cape
Overview
Vast expanses of space and silence, drought and blazing summer sunshine. Across the arid landscape, the
Orange River flows, at places in a sluggish tide, at others in a powerful explosion of sound and fury. Were it not for the river, much of the region may well have remained bleak and populated only by nomadic bands of Bushmen.
Instead, prosperous towns and villages have risen from its banks, and large stretches of once-barren land have been transformed into fields of cotton, Lucerne, dates and grapes.
The Northern Cape is noted for its San rock art, diamond diggings, 4X4 safaris and the Kgalagadi Wildlife Park. It is a vast stretch of semi-desert land. The distance from the capital, Kimberley, on the eastern border to Springbok (in the west) is more than 900km. It is a large, dry region of fluctuating temperatures and varying topographies. As the most arid part of South Africa it offers the visitor an experience that is not elsewhere available.
In addition to the fabulous diamonds discovered which catapulted Kimberley to fame and fortune, and changed the course of history, a rich bounty of alluvial diamonds is mined off the west coast. The wild and lonely western coastline is also one of the world's most prolific fishing grounds, providing yet another source of revenue.
Kimberley, THE WORLD'S DIAMOND CAPITAL
Kimberley is approximately 485 kilometres from Johannesburg on the road to Cape Town. Without the enthusiastic digging of a cook named “Damon”, Kimberley may never even have existed.
In 1871, Damon was the first to discover three diamonds that lay beneath a small hill known as the “Colesberg koppie.”
Climate
Mostly arid to semi-arid, few areas in the province receive more than 400mm of rainfall per annum. Rainfall generally increases from west to east. The west experiences most rainfall in winter, while the east receives most of its moisture from late summer thunderstorms. Many areas experience extreme heat, with hottest temperatures in South Africa measured along the Namibian border. Summers maximums are genrally 30ºC or higher, sometimes higher than 40ºC. Winters are usually frosty and clear, with southern areas sometimes becoming bitterly cold, such as Sutherland, which often receives snow and temperatures occationally drop below the -10ºC mark.
Today the “Big Hole”, as the mine is known, together with the restored diamond town, forms the Kimberley Mine Museum.
From the imposing City Hall you can step back into the ‘new rush' days on a 1910 tram and experience the feel of the early days of the big hole. Staring out over the viewing platform you can almost hear the sound of shovelling and shouting as men dug their way to fame and fortune in the vast 457 m diameter crater.
The nearby reconstructed diamond town contains original relics and with a bit of imagination you can join the sounds and bustle of the early Kimberley. Kimberley also contains many other beautifully preserved and restored buildings from its early days, all well worth viewing.
Elegant residences can be visited by arrangement and it is then that you will discover the 2nd treasure in the town - the friendly welcoming people.
In addition to the fabulous diamond discoveries, which catapulted Kimberley to fame and fortune, and changed the course of history, a rich bounty of alluvial diamonds is mined off the west coast.
The wild and lonely western coastline is also one of the world’s most prolific fishing grounds, providing yet another source of venue.
Wealth there is too, in copper, but to some, the greatest gift of all lies in the extravagant beauty of Namaqualand’s wild flowers.
The area is also notable for fine examples of Bushman art, abundant deposits of semi-precious stones, and friendly hospitality. Four major wildlife sanctuaries and a number of smaller reserves provide endless opportunities for getting back to nature.
The Bushman (San of the Northern Cape)
Although the majority of Bushmen have been absorbed by other cultures, a few still live off the land in remote areas of the Kalahari.
They are the survivors of a people who inhabited the entire subcontinent and much of East Africa for many millennia before the arrival of settlers from other parts of the world.
They are totally self- sufficient and dependent on the land for all their needs.
From plants, they produce food, building materials, tools, twine, musical instruments, and bows and arrows. They are renowned for their extraordinary skills in tracking, stalking and snaring game.
Bushman wall paintings and engravings are found in most parts of South Africa and as far north as Tanzania.
Depiction’s are mainly of animals, hunting scenes, rituals and dances. The most striking characteristics of Bushman art are boldness and simplicity of design, accurate draughtsman ship and limited use of colour, the latter due to the small number of pigments available to the artists.
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