North West towns

• Derby
• Koster
• Terra Firma
• Venterskroon
• Vorstershoop

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Derby

Derby taken from the main road

Photo © Steven Herbert

If you are driving along the R30 it would be very easy to miss the village of Derby if it wasn't for the Dutch Reformed Church spire sticking out of the trees.

The village is surrounded by good agricultural land and there is a set of grain silos in the town.

The town was named after Lord Derby who was the British Secretary of State.

Farmlands in the surrounding area

Photo © Johan van Zyl

The Dutch Reformed Church (1959)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 220

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 166

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Koster

Koster Municipal Offices

Photo © Johan van Zyl

The small town of Koster owes its existence to the fertile farmlands in the surrounding area. The giant grain silos are evidence of this.

In 1913 the fledgeling town was named after the original owner of the land, Bastiaan Koster. There is also some who say that the town was named after Dr. Herman Coster who was a former State Attorney of the South African Republic.

Although the town itself does not offer too much to interest tourist there are some great game farms and guest lodges in the area.

Koster shopping area

Photo © Johan van Zyl

The large grain silo

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 220

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 216

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 166

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Terra Firma

Terra Firma is a small village in the North West province of South Africa.

It is situated on the R378 near the Botswana border.

Molopo Game Reserve is approximately 50 km away.

References and further reading

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Venterskroon

Venterskroon information centre and museum were originally the Magistrates Office and Police Station

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Venterskroon is one of four towns located in what is known as the "Vredefort Dome". This is the site of what is believed to have been the biggest ever meteor to hit the earth 2 billion years ago.

The Vredefort Dome is a World Heritage Site and the Vredefort Dome Information Centre is located in Venterskroon.

Venterskroon was originally a mining town. Gold was discovered in the area in 1880 and people flocked to the area. Mining ceased in 1937 and most people left.

Some of the original buildings from the early 1900's are still standing.

Above - Venterskroon's small museum and information centre

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - The old Mine Captains house

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - The old jail

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

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Vorstershoop

Vorstershoop is a small village near the Molopo Game Reserve in the North West province of South Africa.

The area around Vorstershoop is semi-arid.

Summer's can be hot but it can get very cold at night in winter.

References and further reading

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