Vanwyksvlei
Vanwyksvlei or Van Wyk's Vlei (Afrikaans for Van Wyk's Marsh) is a small town in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
Vanwyksvlei | |
|---|---|
 A road in Vanwyksvlei | |
  Vanwyksvlei  Vanwyksvlei | |
| Coordinates: 30°21′S 21°49′E / 30.350°S 21.817°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| District | Pixley ka Seme |
| Municipality | Kareeberg |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.66 km2 (1.03 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 1,721 |
| • Density | 650/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 2.3% |
| • Coloured | 92.5% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.9% |
| • White | 4.0% |
| • Other | 0.3% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Afrikaans | 97.7% |
| • Other | 2.3% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 8922 |
| PO box | 8922 |
Name
The town is named after a farmer called Van Wyk, and the Afrikaans suffix vlei, meaning 'pond', 'marsh'. However, it is one of the driest places in South Africa, and the surrounding region is named the Dorsland (Afrikaans for Thirstland).
History
Vanwyksvlei was founded in 1881. It later saw action in the Second Boer War where two Victoria Crosses were awarded; Harry Hampton and Henry Knight were awarded the medal for gallant acts.
Vanwyksvlei Dam
The Vanwyksvlei Dam was the first (1882) state-funded dam built in South Africa.
References
See also
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