Phalaborwa

Phalaborwa (translated to English as better than the south; phala means better than and borwa means south) is a town in the Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa.

"Ba-Phalaborwa" redirects here. For the local municipality, see Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality.
Phalaborwa
The entrance sign to Phalaborwa
The entrance sign to Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa is located in Limpopo
Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa is located in South Africa
Phalaborwa
Phalaborwa
Coordinates: 23°56′S 31°7′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceLimpopo
DistrictMopani
MunicipalityBa-Phalaborwa
Area
[1]
 • Total193.33 km2 (74.65 sq mi)
Elevation
437 m (1,434 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total13,108
 • Density68/km2 (180/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African56.8%
 • Coloured1.9%
 • Indian/Asian1.5%
 • White39.4%
 • Other0.4%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Afrikaans15.10%
 • English11.1%
 • Tsonga10.1%
 • Northern Sotho51.7%
 • Other12.0%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
1389
PO box
1390
Area code015
WebsitePhalaborwa trade and tourism

Name

The name "Ba-Phalaborwa" was given to the area by the Sotho tribes who moved there from the south. It means "better than the south".

History

The Sotho mined and smelted copper and iron ore there by 400 AD.

Geography

It is located near the confluence of the Ga-Selati River and the Olifants, halfway up along the western border of the Kruger National Park in the Lowveld.

It is the only town in South Africa that borders Kruger National Park. The border with Mozambique is two hours away. Various private game reserves nearly surround Phalaborwa. Hans Merensky Golf Estate is situated on the outskirts.[2]

Nearby natural attractions are Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes; the Tzaneen fruit farms and Hoedspruit game farms can all be visited within a day.

Masorini, near Phalaborwa gate, is a reconstructed Ba-Phalaborwa hill village, with huts, grain storage areas, and an iron smelting site.

Two townships, Namakgale and Lulekani are where the Pedi and Tsonga reside. Rural areas such as Mashishimale, Humulani, Kurhula (Matshama Hi Nkano), Ben Farm (Majeje), Makushane and Ga-Maseke.Ga-selwane.majeje 3 and prieska are there.

Economy

Mining

Phalaborwa is home to Palabora Mining. The massive open pit mine, nearly 2,000 meters across, is Africa's widest manmade hole.[3]

Tourism

Tourism and wildlife play a dominant role in the economy.

Transport

Phalaborwa Airport is a commercial airport serving the town.

Notable people

Climate

This area is also known as the Valley of the Olifants. Rainfall is low. It has the highest winter temperature in South Africa, with an average winter temperature range from 9 °C to 26 °C.During summer the average temperatures vary from 20 °C to 33 °C with occasional heavy rainfall. The highest recorded temperature was 50 °C in December 2018.[4]

Climate data for Phalaborwa
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 34
(93)		 33
(91)		 32
(90)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 27
(81)		 26
(79)		 28
(82)		 31
(88)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.5
(79.7)		 26
(79)		 25
(77)		 23
(73)		 20
(68)		 18
(64)		 17.5
(63.5)		 19
(66)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 26
(79)		 22
(72)
Average low °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 20
(68)		 17
(63)		 12
(54)		 10
(50)		 9
(48)		 11
(52)		 14
(57)		 17
(63)		 19
(66)		 21
(70)		 16
(61)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 97
(3.8)		 81
(3.2)		 65
(2.6)		 25
(1.0)		 12
(0.5)		 4
(0.2)		 7.5
(0.30)		 7
(0.3)		 21
(0.8)		 46
(1.8)		 69
(2.7)		 96
(3.8)		 529
(20.8)
Source: [5]

References
  1. "Main Place Phalaborwa". Census 2011.
  2. "Directions - Golf in the Wild". Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  3. Mining
  4. "Bing Weather", accessed 6 June 2014
  5. Weatherbase.com Retrieved 6 June 2014.
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