South Africa: Eastern Cape: Middelburg

Middelburg Visitors Guide
INTRODUCTION

MIDDELBURG, EASTERN CAPE

Middelburg is not so named by choice. It is in the middle of a fascinating area in the Great Karoo, the hub from which the tourist can enjoy a Karoo Experience with a difference.

Middelburg lies in the Upper Karoo, 1 279 m above sea level, with an average climate and with a population of 44 000. Middelburg is located halfway between Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein, as well as between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Fifteen towns are within a 150 km radius from Middelburg, thus making it the ideal location for the distribution of goods and services.

Outdoor acitivities available in and around Middelburg are hiking, mountain biking, game and bird watching, plains game hunting, exciting river tubing on strongly flowing water from the Gariep Dam, abseiling, rock climbing, horse trailing, camping and many more.

Art & Crafts from local artists include water- and oil paintings, beadworks, traditional artefacts and a diversity of wire, wood & glass ornaments. Take a tour through the factories that manufacture leather goods and shoes, as well as woollen duvets and pillows, or visit the farm stall and graft shops for homemade goodies.

The Karoo is known for the different herbs that grow in the field. Drop by at the herbal bar and discover the healing powers of natural medicine.

Between 240 and 280 million years ago, life on earth nearly came to an end, at the end of the PERMIAN Era and the beginning of the TRIASSIC Era. The Karoo is one of the few places in the world where this history is documented in the fossil life to be found in the area. Visit nearby sites where such fossils have been found and learn more of this interest facet in the world’s history.
Insect fundi will fascinate you with her displays and animal touch farm.

Surrounding farms, some offering accommodation, and other activities, are well worth a visit to view interesting architectural and historical buildings, technically interesting enterprises, and operational sheep farms.

Middelburg’s history is very rich, with interesting facts about the Anglo Boer War as well as the different cultures.

Accommodation is always high on a tourist “do list:, so pop in to our Tourism Office for details of the many establishments available, select one and enjoy the hospitality and warm friendliness with a cocktail and a Karoo sunset!

MIDDELBURG KAROO TOURISM BUREAU
8 Meintjies Street / P O Box 475
MIDDELBURG, EASTERN CAPE
5900
Tel / Fax: 049 – 84 22188
E-mail: tourismmid@adsactive.com
Website: www.middelburgec.co.za

Office hours:
Monday – Friday: 08h00 – 13h00
&
14h00 – 16h30
Closed: Weekends, Public Holidays




WEATHER

AVERAGE DAILY TEMPERATURES

Summer days : 32ºC Summer nights : 5ºC
Winter days : 16ºC Winter nights : -3ºC

AVERAGE RAINFALL

Months : December to April
250 mm per year

METRES ABOVE SEAL LEVEL

1 279 M

TRANSPORT MATTERS

BUS SERVICES

Contact the agent for destinations, time schedules and bookings.
Agent: Middelburg Karoo Tourism Bureau
Tel: (049) 84 22188

Arrivals & Departures:
Excel Garage, Meintjies Street (Volkstud Motors)

Direct numbers:
Intercape Mainliner - 0861 287 287
Translux Express - 0861 589 282
Greyhound - 083 915 9000

LANDING STRIP

Under supervision of the Technical Services Department, Inxuba Yethemba Municipality.
Manager: Nardus Badenhorst
Cell: 082 7733 292

TAXI SERVICES

Visagie Taxi: Tel :(049) 84 22742
Nqinala Taxi: Tel :(049) 84 23744 / 073 1711 423

SPOORNET (TRAIN)

Rosmead Station, Main Road:
Tel : (049) 802 8231


SAFETY – MONEY - MEDICAL

TOURIST SAFETY

Please take the same precautions you would in any other city or town. Avoid the unnecessary display of valuables.

EMERGENCIES

Ambulances : 10177
Fire Rescue : 082 772 0332
SA Police : 10111 / (049) 84 21958

Vehicle Breakdown : Thys van Rooyen Workshop
Tel: (049) 84 21515 (office hours)
Cell: 082 481 9561 (all hours)

Hospital : Wilhelm Stahl Hospital, du Plessis Street
Tel : (049) 84 21111

Good Shepherd Hospice : 124 vd Walt Street
Tel : (049) 84 21231

Clinics : Municipal Clinic, van Reenen Street
Tel : (049) 84 21104
Stormberg District Clinic, van Reenen Street
Tel : (049) 84 22434

Doctors:
GP’s : Burger Tel : (049) 84 21071
: Leeuwner Tel : (049) 84 21070
: vd Walt Tel : (049) 84 24655
: van Zyl Tel : (049) 84 23333
Gynaecologist : Zaaiman Tel : (049) 84 24228
Dentist : Botha Tel : (049) 84 21914
Optometrist : Olls Tel : (049) 84 21127

BANKING

ABSA - C/o Smid & van Reenen Streets
Tel : 049 – 84 21103

FIRST NATIONAL BANK - C/o Meintjies & Loop Streets
Tel : 049 – 94 21102

STANDARD BANK - C/o Meintjies & Market Streets
Tel : 049 – 84 21401

POST OFFICE - van der Walt Street
Tel : 049 – 84 21302 / Fax : 049 – 84 22150

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS

FOUNDING OF MIDDELBURG
A site for Middelburg was chosen, as its name implies, in the very centre of a circle of other platteland towns – thus providing a hub for the secular and spiritual life of a pioneer farming community, which was, till then, very far from anywhere.

As far back as 1786 the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet was proclaimed. On the 6th of February 1837 the Cape government proclaimed the district of Colesberg with the field-cornettes of Middelveld, Upper-Sea Cow River, Lower-Sea Cow River, Nieu-Hantam and Agter-Suurberg.

The distance between Graaff-Reinet & Colesberg was 130 miles (200 km). Therefore it was decided to found a town in-between.

The Dutch Reformed Church of Colesberg gave permission for a new congregation to be seceded. Thus the Middelburg Dutch Reformed Church came to being on 19 May 1852, and according to the government Gazette of 19 June 1852, the Seat of Magistracy was announced for Middelburg.

Three farms, namely Kleinfontein, Grootfontein & Driefontein, were considered for the town. A commission consisting of Willem Smit and Henning Coetzee bought the farm Driefontein from Jan Coetzee for 40 000 riksdaalders (R6 000).
The farm was given the name MIDDELBURG, for the farm lied in the middle of the surrounding towns. The first erven were sold on 12 & 13 August 1852.

HAYSTEAD & FORD BUILDING
In Market Street, this building dates back to the early days of the century. This is one of the few buildings left from the old Middelburg, which was declared a national monument.

MARKET SQUARE
It all started here in 1852. Encircled by Murray, Market, van Reenen & Loop Streets, here on the Outspan, originated the Dutch Reformed Church (Gereformeerde Kerk), the Methodist Church and the Town Hall. Today, part of it is known as the Mayor’s Garden.
ENTRANCE TO PARK: Municipality – 049 – 84 21104

GEREFORMEERDE KERK
Ds Dirk Postma founded this congregation at Grootfontein in 1860. In 1979 the building was declared a national monument. The inscription reads:
“Hierdie kerkgebou wat in 1862 voltooi is na die stigting van die plaaslike gemeente deur Ds Dirk Postma op datum 1 Desember 1860, is die oudste bestaande Gereformeerde kerkgebou in S.A.”
- Meintjies Street –

BURGER MONUMENT
This graceful obelisk was erected in 1929 to honour the memory of 19 Burghers who fell during the Anglo Boer War. Can be seen in the Mayor’s Garden.
- Meintjies Street –

TOWN GRAVEYARDS
OLD : van Reenen Street
NEW : Turn down in Church street, follow the road around the old station building, and you’ll find it on your left hand side.

WARDEN HOUSE
The house of the warden at the first prison in Middelburg. Today, it houses the local tourism bureau.
- Meintjies Street -

CHAIR MONUMENT
This monument at Ouberg Koppie, just outside Middelburg on the Richmond road, marks the spot where two commandants, Lötter & Wolfaardt were executed, during the Anglo Boer War, in 1901.
- Richmond Road (R 398) –

OLD WATERPUMP
Queen Victoria gave this gift to the town in 1887 when she had reigned for 50 years. The Victoria- & Jubilee Streets have been named then. The water pump can be seen in the Mayor’s Garden.
- Meintjies Street-

MEMORIAL AT KWANONZAME TOWNSHIP
Erected in the memory of Middelburg three.
- Situated at Kwanonzame township entrance, south of town.

STEAM ROLLER
The steamroller in the Mayor’s Garden, was bought in 1938 to build streets and to prepare a few streets for tarring.
- Meintjies Street -

WALL OF REMEMBRANCE
This graceful wall honours the memory of all who fell during the Anglo-Boer War, the Two World Wars and the Bush War in Namibia. Can be seen in the Mayor’s Garden.
- Meintjies Street -

KAREL THERON PRIMARY SCHOOL
The school, built in 1908, once was the biggest school in the Cape Province. It was named after Mr Kalie Theron who saw his school grow from a two-teacher primary school to a high school. For 35 years he was the principal. Declared a national monument in 1992.
- Victoria Street -

SCHOOMBEESKLIP
This rock is the oldest landmark of the occupation by the first European inhabitants. This inscription reads: “Anno 170 ik ben die plaas heft aangeleyght A.G.S.B. uyt Denemark sprenghane als sant.”
Andries Godliep Schoombee fled from Denmark after the supposed death of his brother whom he threw from the window of their double-storey house after a fight.
FOR VIEWING: 049 – 84 21824

GRAVEYARD OF FARM DRIEFONTEIN
Follow the road past the caravan park (Hill street) to the first graveyard behind Ouberg Koppie where the first inhabitants of Driefontein, on which Middelburg was founded, lay buried.
- Hill Street -

MIDDELBURG MUSEUM
The corner of Bennie- & vd Walt Streets houses the building previously known as the Poor School. This school was opened in 1898 for children of poor. The main building was erected in 1906 and today it houses the Middelburg Museum.
TO VISIT : 049 – 8421104
VISITING HOURS : Mondays – Fridays:
08h00 – 13h00 & 14h00 – 16h30

GROOTFONTEIN AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE
HOW IT ALL STARTED . . .
After the Anglo Boer War the farm Grootfontein in Middelburg EC district was bought by the British Department of War in order to establish a peace-keeping force in the area. This was the beginning of the military era of Grootfontein that lasted from 1903 till 1910.

During this period most of the soldiers lived in tents until prefabricated houses were made of wood and corrugated iron. Some of these houses are still in use.

About 7 000 troops from the Third Manchester Regiment were stationed at Grootfontein. Some of them were married, so about 3 000 women and children also lived at Grootfontein. The infrastructure was well-developed and included schools, a church, hospital and housing for the troops and their families. The troops brought 2 000 horses with them.

The first military cemetery was located to the east of the “Droë” river and was closed in October 1905 due to the spreading of contagious diseases. The other military cemetery was established to the east of the Oorlogspoort, about 5 km (8 miles) from the military camp.

From 1908 the troops were disbanded. In July 1910 the Union of South Africa took control of the farm after which the Grootfontein School of Agriculture was established in 1911. The first principal was Mr R W Thornton. His fist task was to renovate the brick houses. The existing wood and corrugated iron buildings were used as stables, shearing-shed, dairy building and offices.

General Louis Botha, Prime Minister visited Grootfontein in 1912. The venue for the school was decided upon, and building started in 1913. Botha appointed Mr Andries van der Merwe as farm manager.
VISITING BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS:
ELANA KITCHING at 049 – 84 21113 / 083 687 3171

BRITISH OFFICER’S MESS
Many old students know the Officer’s Mess, situated on the grounds of the Grootfontein College of Agriculture as a former hostel named House Karoo.

The mess dates from the Boer War period (1903 – 1910) and was one of many corrugated iron-and-wood structures that belonged to a vast British Military encampment on the farm, Grootfontein. Both its façade and ground plan closely resemble two other famous old Officer’s Messes; viz The Wynberg Officer’s Mess and the Jan Smut’s House, Doornkloof, Irene.
VISITING BY PRIOR ARRAGEMENTS:
RINA MARAIS at 049 – 84 21113 / 082 372 8202

PW VORSTER MUSEUM
The museum complex at the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute consists of the original farmhouse erected by Nicolaas van der Walt in 1827, to which was added an implement shed in 1976.

The museum was officially opened in 1975 and named after a former secretary of agriculture, Dr Pieter W Vorster.

The British era from 1903 to 1910 is strikingly exhibited with various articles dating to this period.
Student records dating to 1911 can be seen, as well as scale models of soil conservation works and mechanical implements, which served examples to the students.

VISITING BY PRIOR ARRAGEMENTS:
ELANA KITCHING at 049 – 84 21113 / 083 687 3171

BRITISH MILITARY PUMPING STATION
The pumping station was erected in about 1904 by the British troops that were stationed at Grootfontein. Its site is the marshland from which the actual “Groote Fontein” springs.

Good quality bricks and cement were used to create the many Roman arches, which have subsequently been bricked up. On the other side of the hallway is an upstairs gallery, which originally accommodated water tanks used to cool the oil-driven pumps. Below are two storerooms.

Nearby one can seen the Mile Dam – thus named because its wall was originally a mile long. This dam was built during the depression years (1930’s) by subsidized white labour to catch rainwater and augmented the fountain.

VISITING BY PRIOR ARRAGEMENTS:
ELANA KITCHING at 049 – 84 21113 / 083 687 3171

EATING OUT
RESTAURANTS

Plus 10 Steakhouse - Meintjies Street
Cell: 082 440 9277

Saddles Steak Ranch - Loop Street
Tel: (049) 84 21187

The Old Barn - Erin Farm (14 km from town)
Tel: (049) 84 22293 / 082 379 0404

COFFEE SHOPS / TEA GARDENS

Green Lemon Coffee Shop - Meintjies Street
Tel: (049) 84 22034

Health & Herbal Bar - van Reenen Street
Tel: (049) 84 24099

Nicky E & Co Coffee Shop - Meintjies Street
Cell: 084 508 0795

Leana Florist & Tea Garden – Murray Street
Tel: (049) 84 21365


FAST FOODS

Golden Star Take Aways - Market Street
Tel: (049) 84 22705

Pizza World - Meintjies Street
Tel: (049) 84 21403

Spar Deli - Spar, van Reenen Street
Tel: (049) 84 21125

Village Café & Take Aways - Meintjies Street
Tel: (049) 84 22928



PUBS

Middelburg Club - Market Street
Tel: (049) 84 21027

+ 10 Steakhouse - Meintjies Street
Cell: 082 440 9277

TO KNOW
Annual Events
Agricultural Show - Tel: (049) 84 22834
Karoo Cycle Race - Tel: (049) 84 21560
Middelburg Challenge (Pentathlon) - Tel: (049) 84 21560

Interesting Shops & Health Centres
The Gift Shop & Antiques - Tel: (049) 84 22163
Crafty Cats - Tel: (049) 84 22236
Health & Herbal Bar - Tel: (049) 84 24099
Leana Florist & Gifts - Tel: (049) 84 21365
Nicky E & Co Coffee Shop & Gifts - Cell: 084 508 0795


WHAT TO DO

MUSIC & DANCE
Middelburg Harmony Voices - Ace Landela
Tel: (049) 84 21958 / 083 6922 006

Xhosa Traditional Dancers & Township Prophets - Rhebo Msali
Cell: 072 278 4539

!Xam Traditional Dancers - Lukas Padda
Cell: 082 830 1303

Gospel Friends - Piet Uithaler
Cell: 082 512 1591

Revelation Messengers - Richard Jacobus
Cell: 072 809 5161/ 049 – 84 21198

ARTS & CRAFTS & TOURS
Sneeuberg Crafts - 2 Church Street
Tel: (049) 84 21829 / Fax: (049) 84 21618
Manufacturing of woollen duvets, sleeping bags and pillows

GDE Leather - Meintjies Street
Tel: (049) 84 23935 / Fax: (049) 84 23976
Specialises in saddles & riding equipment ; craft shop with leather products for sale at factory

Umsobomvu Mohair Weavers - C/o van Reenen & Joubert Str
Tel: 049 – 84 22197 / Cell: 072 455 2068 / Fax: 049 – 84 23777
Weaving of mohair carpets, rugs & blankets

Beaconsfield Sheep Dairy
Tel: (049) 84 21511 / 082 826 2310
Manufacture of cheese & yogurt from sheep’s milk. Tour groups welcome by prior arrangement. Tasting & sales on farm.

Rolfe Laboratories - C/o Nood & Victoria Str
Tel: 049 – 84 21106 / Fax: 049 – 84 21807
Rolfe Laboratories is a filling and packing company of aerosols, roll-on's, liquids, creams, lotions and powders. It has flexible manuafacturing capability including perfumes, eau de toilettes and after shaves in multiple packing. Bookings for factory tours are essential.

Community Corrections Crafts - C/o Coetzee & Stockenstroom Str
Tel: 049 – 84 22370 (Contact: Donele Zinkfontein)
Crafts by ex-prisoners & people out on parole. Open 07:00 – 16:00.

Ganora Fossil Farm
Tel: (049) 84 11302
On a farm near the Nieu Bethesda Village, 60 km from town
Guided tours on fossil walks, displays, etc.

Spiders & Scorpions of SA
Tel: (049) 84 21593
C/o Hill & vd Walt Street. Live displays and well informed guided tours of these interesting insects

Sonnett Olls Art Gallery - 16 Richmond Rd
Cel: 082 820 7383
Well-known artist, working with water-colours as well as acrylic.

Community Projects
Mohair weaving
Clothing & sewing
Beadworks & Wire articles
Painting & pottery
Bio-oils
Veggie gardens
Baking
Tradisional dances & choirs

Jagtpoort Farm Stall
Tel: (049) 84 22106
With excellent home made goodies, it lies at the foot of the Lootsberg Pass on the N9 (Graaff-Reinet rd), 50 km south of town.

Grootfontein Agricultural Institute
Tel: (049) 84 21113
Agricultural tours: Joan Oosthuizen
Historical tours : Elana Kitching

MUNICIPALITY

The local municipality is called, Inxuba Yethemba, and includes Cradock & Middelburg. The name means “Fish River of Hope”.

P O Box 55, Middelburg EC, 5900
Tel: (049) 84 21104 Fax: (049) 84 21310

SPORT & ADVENTURES

Various sports are encouraged and developed by local clubs and events are hosted regularly.

Rugby Cell: 083 517 4032 / 082 878 6658
Golf Tel: (049) 84 24456 / 84 22834
Bowls Tel: (049) 84 21221 / 84 22485
Cycling Tel: (049) 84 22584 / 084 299 1214
Tennis Tel: (049) 84 22126
Abseiling Cell: 082 442 6451
River Rafting Tel: (048) 885 0050 / 084 429 9944
Quad Biking Tel: (049) 84 31707
Fitness Centre Cell: (049) 84 21704 /082 709 7123
Squash Tel: (049) 84 21027
Mountain Biking & 4 x 4

MEDIA

The Middelburg Courant Tel: (049) 84 21709
The Adversiter Tel: (049) 84 21276

DISTANCES FROM TOWNS & CITIES

Aliwal North 220 km Bloemfontein 320 km
Cape Town 780 km Colesberg 94 km
Cradock 98 km Durban (via Free State) 960 km
East London 400 km George 460 km
Graaff-Reinet 110 km Hanover 93 km
Johannesburg 720 km Kimberley 410 km
Port Elizabeth 360 km Queenstown 240 km
Richmond 108 km Steynsburg 93 km
Umtata 500 km Upington 590 km


R56 ROUTE

SHORTEST ROUTE BETWEEN
WESTERN CAPE & KWAZULU-NATAL

Information given on this route was updated on:
(2007-10-10)

This route stretches from Middelburg all the way to Port Shepstone. The road is tarred, and in a fairly good condition, except for the road between Maclear & Mount Fletcher, that’s in the process of being tarred.
This piece is divided into 3 phases for tarring, and at the moment the work has developed to the last phase.

Please be aware that animals on the road might occur.

The road is scenically very beautiful with snow-capped mountains almost along the whole route, during winter months.

Cultural settlements are part of the Easter Cape Province’s History, and can been seen along the road from Dordrecht to Kokstad.

Distances on the R56 route:
Middelburg to Steynsburg 93 km
Steysburg to Molteno 62 km
Molteno to Dordrecht 68 km
Dordrecht to Indwe 40 km
Indwe to Elliot 66 km
Elliot to Ugie 53 km
Ugie to Maclear 21 km
Maclear to Mount Fletcher 58 km
Mount Fletcher to Matatiele 83 km
Matatiele to Kokstad 70 km
Kokstad to Port Shepstone 122 km

Total distance of route 736 km

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR BEAUTIFUL KAROO TOWN, MIDDELBURG. WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR STAY.

HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY!

Middelburg, Eastern Cape Weather Today


Information and pictures provided by Middelburg Karoo Tourism

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