The City of Pietersburg (Polokwane) in the Northern Transvaal was founded in 1868 by the Voortrekkers and named in honour of their General Petrus Jacobus (Pieter) Joubert. In 2005 the government renamed it by the North Sotho name Polokwane meaning “Place of Safety”. Polokwane is today the capital of the Limpopo province and serves as a trading centre for the surrounding areas of the province.
Polokwane lies on the Sterkloop River and is positioned on the Tropic of Capricorn. It is situated halfway between Gauteng and Zimbabwe. Despite the fact that it is on the Tropic line it has a temperate climate with summer rainfall.
Polokwane has an interesting and varied history. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) Polokwane (Pietersburg) was at first the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek, but in 1901 the town was occupied by the British and immediately the Government Buildings, Arms Factories and Newspaper House were destroyed. During the Boer War a Concentration Camp to house 4000 Boer Woman and Children was built by the British.
Polokwane was more recently the site of the ANC conference when Jacob Zuma took control as head of the Party. Today Polokwane (Pietersburg) is a modern and bustling City and offers a number of cultural and historical attractions as well as access to a number of Nature and Wildlife viewing experiences. It was also a host city of The FIFA World Cup 2010
Visit the living Museum Bakone Malape, which has been reconstructed in the style of a North Sotho village from about 250 years ago. Tourists can watch the members of the tribe going about their daily lives and interact with them as they demonstrate all types of traditional activities.
The Polekwane Nature Reserve is enjoyable and restful with a variety of game and plentiful birdlife that can be viewed. Tourists can also visit the Concentration Camp cemetery that was set up during the Boer War for those who died in the Camp.
Accommodation is available to suit all tastes and pockets and there are a variety of restaurants, Grills, a Casino and sports facilities.