Stilfontein

Stilfontein
Stilfontein  Stilfontein shown within North West
Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E / 26.84278°S 26.77444°ECoordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E / 26.84278°S 26.77444°E
Country	South Africa
Province	North West
District	Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Municipality	City of Matlosana
Established	1949
Area[1]
• Total	138.82 km^2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	17,942
• Density	130/km^2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
• Black African	42.5%
• Coloured	1.5%
• Indian/Asian	0.3%
• White	55.5%
• Other	0.2%
First languages (2011)[1]
• Afrikaans	53.2%
• Tswana	11.1%
• English	10.6%
• Sotho	10.2%
• Other	14.8%
Postal code (street)	2550
PO box	2551
Area code	018

Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a mining town with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa.

Stilfontein was established in 1949 as a residential centre for three large gold mines, the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein mines.

Stilfontein was struck by a mining-related earthquake on 9 March 2005, which damaged buildings in the town, which was followed by the closure of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines when the Stilfontein Gold Mining was handed over into liquidation.^[2] The Simmer and Jack Mines took over the mines but disaster struck again on 23 March 2006 when a fire trapped 8 miners underground at the Buffelsfontein mine.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Stilfontein was 17,942. The racial distribution was as follows: 84.9% White, 14.2% Black, 0.8% Coloured and 0.1% Asian. The population density was 1,717 persons per km² (663 persons per mi²).

Tourist attractions

• Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine
• Annual Rose Festival in spring

References

1. "Main Place Stilfontein". Census 2011.
2. http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/business/business1115643437.aspx