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
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceNorthern Cape
DistrictPixley ka Seme
MunicipalityKareeberg
Area
 • Total2.66 km2 (1.03 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total1,721
 • Density650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African2.3%
 • Coloured92.5%
 • Indian/Asian0.9%
 • White4.0%
 • Other0.3%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans97.7%
 • Other2.3%
Time zoneUTC+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).[2]

History

Vanwyksvlei was founded in 1881.[3] 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 build in South Africa.[4]

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References
  1. "Main Place Vanwyksvlei". Census 2011.
  2. Information on Van Wyk's Vlei
  3. http://www.routes.co.za/nc/vanwyksvlei/index.html

See also
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