Prieska

Prieska is a town on the south bank of the Orange River, in the province of the Northern Cape, in western South Africa. It is located on the southern bank of the Orange River, 130 km north-west of Britstown and 75 km south-east of Marydale.

Prieska
Prieska
Prieska
Prieska is located in Northern Cape
Prieska
Prieska
Prieska is located in South Africa
Prieska
Prieska
Prieska is located in Africa
Prieska
Prieska
Coordinates: 29°40′6″S 22°44′38″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceNorthern Cape
DistrictPixley ka Seme
MunicipalitySiyathemba
Area
[1]
 • Total195.52 km2 (75.49 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total14,246
 • Density73/km2 (190/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African23.6%
 • Coloured67.4%
 • Indian/Asian0.5%
 • White8.0%
 • Other0.4%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Afrikaans92.6%
 • Xhosa4.4%
 • English1.0%
 • Other2.0%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
8940
PO box
8940
Area code053

History

It developed from a place to which farmers migrated when the pans were full, after rains. It was originally named Prieschap, the name is derived from Korana and means ‘place of the lost she-goat’.[2][3]: 41  It was administered by a village management board from 1882 and attained municipal status in 1892. In 2011 the town had a population of 14,246.

Many residents, historically, worked at the nearby Koegas mine which extracted and processed blue asbestos.[4]

The town is 240 km south of Kimberley and lies on the R357 road.

Notable natives and residents
  • Elaine Vivier – Mensa IQ result score of 194
  • Dr Eugene Ebrahim 'Manelisi' Bosman - Distinguished the township of E'thembeni, meaning, place of hope, by becoming the first Black Doctor in town. Not only in the town but bordering district towns. A first in the history of Gariep High School which is a semi developed school.
  • Gert Thys - marathon runner
  • Dricky Beukes - writer

References
  1. "Main Place Prieska". Census 2011.
  2. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 375.
  3. "Copper by the Ton". South African Panorama. Information Service of South Africa. 19 (1). 1974 – via Internet Archive.
  4. Steele, Jonathan (15 September 2001). "Blue death". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
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