Kuruman

Kuruman

The Eye
Kuruman
Kuruman
Kuruman

 Kuruman shown within Northern Cape

Coordinates: 27°27′35″S 23°24′45″E / 27.45972°S 23.41250°E / -27.45972; 23.41250Coordinates: 27°27′35″S 23°24′45″E / 27.45972°S 23.41250°E / -27.45972; 23.41250
Country South Africa
Province Northern Cape
District John Taolo Gaetsewe
Municipality Ga-Segonyana
Established 1887[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 93.39 km2 (36.06 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 13,057
 • Density 140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 23.5%
 • Coloured 43.7%
 • Indian/Asian 1.3%
 • White 30.3%
 • Other 1.2%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Afrikaans 76.9%
 • Tswana 14.9%
 • English 4.0%
 • Other 4.2%
Postal code (street) 8460
PO box 8460
Area code 053
A residential street in Kuruman

Kuruman is a town with 13,057 inhabitants in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It is known for its scenic beauty and the Eye of Kuruman, a geological feature that brings water from deep underground. It was at first a mission station of the London Missionary Society founded by Robert Moffat in 1821. It was also the place where David Livingstone arrived for his first position as missionary in 1841. The Kuruman River, which is dry except for flash floods after heavy rain (see wadi), is named after the town.

Origins

The town is widely known as the ‘the fountain of Christianity’ in Africa, or the 'Oasis of the Kalahari', due to the flowing springs of Die Oog (the Eye of Kuruman), where a vast abundance of water reaches the surface in the Kalahari Desert. At the 'Moffat Mission' the Scottish missionary Robert Moffat was the first person to translate and print the entire Bible into the Setswana African language. He helped build the Moffat Church which was completed in 1838.

Location and climate

Kuruman was located along the border that bounds the Northern Cape from the North West Province and is still a local town for most communities surrounding the town, including those that live in the North West Province.

Kuruman has relatively mild weather patterns compared to other Northern Cape towns, such as Upington and Springbok, and is surrounded by more vegetation as compared to the Upington and Springbok, which are surrounded by desertic environments.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, Kuruman had a population of 9,824, of which 4,267 (43.4%) were Coloured, 3,549 (36.1%) were White and 1,969 (20.0%) were Black. The most spoken language at home was Afrikaans at 80.68%, followed by Tswana at 14.8%. Males make up 50.58% of the population and females at 49.42%.[3]

Trivia

Kuruman is one of the more noted Peace Corps outposts in the northern regions of South Africa.[4] From 2007 to 2009, it was home to former Peace Corps volunteer and published author and playwright Stefanie DeLeo.[5]

The Kalahari Meerkat Project, made famous by the television series Meerkat Manor, is located nearby.

Kuruman is home to well-known local author and Sanusi or Zulu traditional healer, Credo Mutwa.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Raper, R.E. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Internet Archive.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Kuruman". Census 2011.
  3. ↑ "Main Place 'Kuruman Part 2'". Census 2001. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  4. ↑ Peace Corps Northern Cape
  5. ↑ Stefanie DeLeo: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle.
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