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Marikana, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality

Marikana, formerly known as 'Rooikoppies', is a Town in the Rustenburg local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality district in the North West Province of South Africa.  The name 'Rooikoppies' means 'red hills' in Afrikaans.

"The Gold Mine was establishment here in 2013, by 'Sibanye-Stillwater Mine'. This Mine has grown and diversified significantly – both geographically and by metal produced. The Group has advanced from a single commodity, South African gold mining, company to become an multinational mining and metals processing Group with a diverse portfolio of projects and investments across five Continents." Lonmin‘s Marikana Platinum Mine", is located near Brits, in the Marikana district. This is approximately 40km East of Rustenberg in the North West Province of South Africa. In this Area, is where the 'Marikana Massacre' occurred on August 16 2012, the South African police shot and killed 34 striking miners.

Geolocation
-25° 41' 16.8", 27° 26' 38.4"
References
https://dbpedia.org/page/Marikana https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/marikana-blame-game-special-report-niren-tolsi-and-paul-botes https://www.sibanyestillwater.com/about-us/history/ https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/projects/marikana-platinum-mine-rustenburg/

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is situated in Midrand in the Province of Gauteng. It is ideally positioned between the 2 major Cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The name "Kyalami" (liberally translated) means "My Home" in Zulu.

The original circuit was constructed in 1961 and soon established itself as the premier motorsport facility in Southern Africa. The pleasant Summer climate made Kyalami a favorite destination for European competitors unable to complete on home soil as a result of extreme winter conditions. The 9 Hour Endurance race meeting held in November of each Year attracted many famous race teams to the Southern tip of Africa. In 1967, Kyalami became part of the Formula 1 World Championship, firmly placing it on the International Motorsport calendar.

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit hosted its opening event on the 4th November 1961, the circuit length being 4,104 km. A Porsche 550 Spyder driven by John Love and Dawie Gous taking a Historic victory at the 9 Hour race held that day. The circuit ran in a clockwise direction and is best remembered for its long main straight. Corners such as Crowthorne, Barbeque, Jukskei, Sunset, Clubhouse, The Esses and Leeukop soon became household names among both local and international motorsport fans. With the long straight and fast back section the circuit proved very quick with Crowthorne (first corner after the long straight) becoming a great overtaking corner and a spectator favorite. South African race fans flocked to the circuit with crowds approaching 100 000 at major events, a festival atmosphere became a Kyalami trademark.

After establishing itself as a regular Formula 1 venue Kyalami became regarded as one of the ten best Grand Prix Circuits in the World. Kyalami hosted numerous international events on the original layout until 1988. 18 rounds of the F1 World Championship were hosted at the circuit between 1967 and 1985 with the annual 9 Hour and 1000 km endurances races continuing from the circuits inception until 1988. Three official rounds of the World Sportscar Championship were hosted at Kyalami in 1974, 1983 and 1984 and the 500cc Motorcycle World Championship also visited Kyalami from 1983 to 1985.

During this golden era all of the top Grand Prix teams raced at Kyalami. Pedro Rodriquez driving a Cooper Maserati took victory in 1967 with local hero John Love, having led most of the race, finishing in second place. Jim Clark (Lotus) won his final Grand Prix at the circuit in 1968 just prior to his untimely death at Hockenheim. Three times World champion Jackie Stewart, took victory in 1969 (Matra) and 1973 (Tyrrell) with World champions Jack Brabham (Brabham), Mario Andretti (Ferrari) and Denny Hulme (McLaren) winning from 1970 to 1972. Carlos Reutemann (Brabham) won the race in 1974 and the South African race fans celebrated in 1975 when hometown hero Jody Scheckter drove his blue Tyrrell to victory. Niki Lauda won for Ferrari in 1976 and 1977 taking a further victory for McLaren in 1984. Ronnie Peterson (Lotus), Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari) and Rene Arnoux (Renault) won from 1978 to 1980. The race won by Carlos Reutemann in 1981, driving a Williams, was not part of the World Championship due to the internal battles within Formula 1. World Champion Alain Prost took another victory for Renault in 1982 and Ricardo Patrese winning again for Brabham in 1983. The final Grand Prix at the original circuit was won by Nigel Mansell in a Williams. Mansell lapped the circuit at a record average speed of 236.898 km/h in qualifying demonstrating that Kyalami had evolved into one of the fastest circuits in the World.

The three 500cc Motorcycle World Championship races held from 1983 to 1985 were won by Freddie Spencer on a Honda in 1983 with Eddie Lawson taking victory in 1984 and 1985 on a Yamaha.

The 9 Hour race held from 1961 was initially dominated by British privateer Ferrari race driver David Piper who took 5 consecutive victories with various co-drivers from 1962 to 1966. Jacky Ickx won in 1967 and 1968 with co drivers Brian Redman and David Hobbs at the wheel of the iconic Gulf Mirage Ford. Jacky won again in 1970 in a Ferrari with a final win in 1982 when he and Jochen Mass took victory in the famous factory entered Rothmans Porsche 956. David Piper and Richard Attwood took a famous victory in 1969 sharing a Porsche 917. This was only the second international victory for the iconic Porsche model. Clay Regazzoni took consecutive victories in 1971 and 1972 for Ferrari. The following years were dominated by Porsche victories apart from a Matra win in 1974 and a Lancia victory in 1984. The Porsche 956 and 962 models took victory in 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1988. The factory Rothmans 956 driven by Stefan Bellof and Derek Bell winning in 1982 when the race formed part of the World Championship. The final major race at the original circuit was fittingly won by a Porsche. Bob Wollek took victory in the Joest Porsche 962C on the 26th November 1988. After 26 years of racing Porsche had taken 9 wins to the 8 of Ferrari.

In 1989, for various reasons, the top half of the property was sold and the circuit "flipped over" to create version 2 of Kyalami, now an anticlockwise circuit 3.888km in length. The long straight was now gone and many felt that the mystic of the original circuit was lost. The pit complex was moved to the new main straight (between the old Jukskei and Sunset corners). Thankfully, the back part of the circuit from Sunset to The Esses was retained and is still in place today. 

The circuit continued as a premier National motorsport venue but would once again make a return to the international scene. From 1998 to 2002 Kyalami hosted rounds of the popular World Superbike Championship (WSBK).

In 1994 a chicane was added in the second to last corner to reduce pit entry speeds and the speed into the final corner. This often criticised chicane was removed in 2009 when the circuit hosted two further rounds of the WSBK Championship in 2009 and 2010. The circuit also hosted a round of the A1GP series in 2009.

After this period the circuit went into a steady decline with the property eventually auctioned on the 24th July 2014. Mr. Toby Venter a well-known and respected motor business entrepreneur, visionary and successful race driver, purchased the circuit for 205 million Rand.

In May of 2015 an extensive redevelopment plan for the facility was announced including changes to the circuit layout, resurfacing of the circuit, upgrade of all spectator areas and facilities and a major upgrade to the pit building and exhibitions and conferencing center. A new driving dynamic area, skidpan and 1,1 km handling track is also under construction. Safety upgrades to a FIA Grade 2 level have been installed.

Kyalami will once again regain its position as one of the premier International motoring and motorsport venues, its future secured.

Geolocation
-25° 59' 45.6", 28° 4' 15.6"
References
https://kyalamigrandprixcircuit.com/ https://www.timeslive.co.za/motoring/features/2020-07-30-throwbackthursday-a-history-of-kyalami-2015/

Trafalgar High School

In the time of Education and its opposition to the Apartheid system, (when many students and teachers were jailed or banned). The School was nominated to the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) for National Heritage status, by the Trafalgar Alumni Association, which campaigned for it across social media platforms and in newspapers and on radio.

As the oldest School, for people of colour in South Africa, Trafalgar High School has a proud History both in terms of providing superior education as well as ensuring that its students understand their responsibility, in society and their communities. These values have endured for more than a Century.

The School was founded, in 1912. This occurred after the President of the African People’s Organisation, Dr Abdurahman, (who was a councilor at the time), campaigned for a co-educational School, for Coloured People. The School’s first principal, Harold Cressy was also the first person of colour to get a BA degree from the University of Cape Town. Both these men understood that a good education was the means to changing Social and Economic circumstances. This School has recognised that while culture may change, values endure.

Among its many illustrious Alumni is: the first Justice Minister of democratic South Africa, Dullah Omar; as well as advocate Ben Kies and Judge Siraj Desai. “In the field of science and mathematics, we had giants such as Walter Parry; and in the arts, we had the likes of ballet dancer Johaar Mosaval and jazz pianist Dollar Brand pass through our famous portals. “The school also nurtured a long line of political and trade union activists such as Cissy Gool and Rahima Moosa, and international writer Alex La Guma”.

Trafalgar’s first Years were in a cramped Building, in Chapel Street. As a School that had existed through the worst of Apartheid, these values which are embodied in the School’s motto – ‘Per Angusta, Ad Augusta’ (Through Difficulties to Success) This ideology has been handed down to the students that have passed through this institution. It is these values that ensured, despite the Apartheid Government declaring the Area, under the Group Areas Act, District Six. (This was a White Area, in 1966.) The School’s enrolment numbers did not drop as former students continued to send their children to the School, even if it meant travelling long distances.

Geolocation
-33° 55' 58.8", 18° 25' 30"
References
https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/trafalgar-high-school-declared-a-heritage-site- https://trafalgarhighschool.co.za/

Humansdorp

Humansdorp has grown from a small Town in 1849, with the purpose of serving mainly the Farming community. Today it has flourished into a diverse Town with various types of Shops; Restaurants, Businesses and even a Museums.

The Museum even has artifacts which allow for various activities, for example: 1) Grind some coffee beans by hand; or 2) write a letter to a loved one on an old typewriter; or 3) Kids can dress-up with some fun “vintage” items.
Some of the artifacts at the Museum, date back since the inception of the Town by Matthys Gerhardus Human, in 1849. This was when he donated 1.5 square Kilometers, of his Farm “Rheboksfontein”, to erect a Dutch Reformed Church.  Amongst the exhibition, at the Museum is a Chicago Cottage air pump organ, which can still produce many a fine tune. 

It is also the entrance Town, to the Kromme River Estuary and the popular Resort Towns of Francis Bay and Cape St Francis.
The Kromme River Estuary in Summer is an excellent Area too spot the following Birds- 'Terns and Waders which are best seen on the incoming tide. Species often also seen, include Lesser Sand Plover, Sandwich Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Caspian, Sandwich, Swift & Common Terns, African Black Oystercatcher, White-fronted & Ringed Plover. Other species have included- 'African Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper & Gull-billed Tern'. (For more information refer to the link given in- Further Reading.)

Humansdorp lies at the foot of the Kouga Mountains at the start of the Garden Route and is 87 km West of Port Elizabeth, off the N2 highway. Jeffreys Bay is just 16 km away, with St Francis Bay 20 km and Cape St Francis 2 6km away.

According to Lorelle Campher, who grew up in Humansdorp: "The Town has continued to develop over the Years. The Woodlands Dairy factory has drawn a whole new crowd to our town as people go where they can find work,” she says. As a result of this investment, the population continues to increase. She says Humansdorp has the facilities of a City, such as a modern Hospital and several doctors, but retains its small-Town charm and a sense that; people still care about one another!" (Lorelle says, even though she now spends much of her time in Port Elizabeth, her heart will always belong to her hometown.)
“I was born in Humansdorp and lived there most of my life until I moved away to study and work in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and the United States. But once a small-Town girl, always a small-Town girl.”

Humansdorp lies at the foot of the Kouga Mountains and it is here that the well known Garden Route starts. It is 87 km West of Port Elizabeth, 3 km off the N2 highway, 16 km from Jeffreys Bay, 20 km from St Francis Bay and 26 km from Cape St Francis.
There are Hiking trails and Forest walks in the vicinity, including the Boskloof Trail, boasting 46 bird species, indigenous trees, Fynbos and small antelope and monkeys.
A collection of Farming Implements and household items grace the charming Humansdorp, Museum.
At the top of Main Street sits the impressive Cultural Centre, a fully eco-sustainable Building. Traditional Khoisan Art is exhibited there.
The Zwartenbosch Country & Golf Club offers as an 18 hole golf being developed course and a Lifestyle Centre.

Geolocation
-34° 10.8", 24° 40' 22.8"
References
https://www.eastern-cape-info.co.za/provinces/town/361/humansdorp https://www.ectour.org.za/listing/humansdorp-museum https://www.heraldlive.co.za/weekend-post/your-weekend/2018-08-25-property-spotlight-on-humansdorp/ https://www.birdlife-ec.co.za/krom-river-estuary-birding