Stilfontein

Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a mining town with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa.

Stilfontein
Stilfontein Show map of North West (South African province) Stilfontein Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E
Country	South Africa
Province	North West
District	Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Municipality	City of Matlosana
Area [1]
• Total	138.82 km^2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	17,942
• Density	130/km^2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	42.5%
• Coloured	1.5%
• Indian/Asian	0.3%
• White	55.5%
• Other	0.2%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	53.2%
• Tswana	52.1%
• English	10.6%
• Sotho	10.2%
• Other	14.8%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	2550
PO box	2551
Area code	018

History

Stilfontein was established in 1949 as a residential centre for three large gold mines, the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein mines.

In May 1949 two shafts (Charles and Margaret[2]) were sunk and it was this success at Stilfontein that inspired the opening up of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines.

The Margaret shaft at the Stilfontein mine was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa and was designed locally and completely constructed form local materials. Tower mounted on this headgear was the first ever multi rope Koepoe hoist in South Africa.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Stilfontein was 17,942. The population density was 1,717 persons per km² (663 persons per mi²).

Tourist attractions

• Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine
• Annual Rose Festival in spring

Earthquakes

Stilfontein was struck by a mining-related earthquake on 9 March 2005, which damaged buildings in the town, which was followed by the closure of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines when the Stilfontein Gold Mining was handed over into liquidation.[3] The Simmer and Jack Mines took over the mines but disaster struck again on 23 March 2006 when a fire trapped 8 miners underground at the Buffelsfontein mine.

Politics

Current Freedom Front Plus (FF+) Leader Pieter Groenewald started his political career in this town by being elected mayor in 1988. Groenewald was soon elected to represent the town in the then House of Assembly of South Africa for the Conservative Party.[4]

Following the 1994 general elections, the town became a traditional stronghold for the Democratic Alliance (DA) with the party performing better than 60% in each of the general and municipal elections.[5] Stilfontein is part of the Matlosana Local Municipality.

In the 2019 general elections, the FF+ significantly made inroads in this community with the party narrowly achieving a plurality of the votes on the provincial ballot. The DA achieved a narrow plurality of the national votes.[6]

On 10 July 2019, a municipal by-election was held in the town as a result of the resignation of a DA councillor. The FF+ candidate Stephanus Petrus Kloppers won the ward with 56.51% of the vote, a gain of 32.84%. Kloppers is the first FF+ ward councillor in South Africa.[7][8]

2019 Stilfontein (Ward 30) municipal by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Freedom Front Plus	Stephanus Petrus Kloppers	946	56.51	32.84
	Democratic Alliance	Beatrice Aletta Susanna Campbell Cloete	487	29.14	33.23
	African National Congress	Mamiki Anna Makhetha	135	8.08	0.39
	Independent Ratepayers of SA	Jonathan Johannes Fourie	93	5.57	1.48
	Economic Freedom Fighters	Nhlanhla Lucky Moremi	10	0.60	0.69
Majority			459	27.47	N/A
Turnout			1,671	34.16	18.80
Registered electors			5,031
	Freedom Front Plus gain from Democratic Alliance		Swing	32.84

References

1. "Main Place Stilfontein". Census 2011.
2. https://www.stilfonteintown.co.za/index.php/2020/07/12/some-history/
3. http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/business/business1115643437.aspx
4. DA loses out to Freedom Front Plus in by-election. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
5. Freedom Front Plus wins DA ward in North West, ANC retains seats in Mpumalanga. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
6. FF+ makes loud statement in Stilfontein. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
7. Results of the Municipal By-Elections held on 10 July 2019. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
8. FF Plus wins DA ward in North West as ANC retains seats in Mpumalanga. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.