Polokwane, which translates to "Place of Safety" in Northern Sotho, is also known by its former name of Pietersburg. The city is the capital of the Limpopo Province and is South Africa's largest urban centre north of Gauteng. It lies roughly halfway between Gauteng (300 km) and the Zimbabwean border (200 km.)
Popular suburbs in Polokwane include Westenburg, Nirvana, Bendor, Welgelegen, Moregloed, Annadale, Ivydale, Flora Park, Fauna Park, Penina Park, Ivy Park, Ster Park, Dalmada, Broadlands, Woodlands, and Thornhill.
Property in Polokwane ranges from beautifully designed homes to modern sought-after apartments.
Notable people from Polokwane include controversial anti-apartheid activist Peter Mokaba and professional baseball player Gift Ngoepe. Caster Semenya, middle-distance runner and world champion, as does former South African national rugby team captain, John Smit.
Polokwane was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
A brief history of the area
In 1886, the Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Potgieter founded a new town and named it "Pietersburg" in honour of Voortrekker leader Petrus Jacobus Joubert. During the Boer War, the British built a concentration camp at Pietersburg to incarcerate almost 4,000 Boer women and children.
On 23 April 1992 the town officially became a city, and on 25 February 2005, the South African government declared the official name of the city as Polokwane.
Climate
Average temperatures in Polokwane reach around 21-22 °C in January and fall to 11 °C in July. Polokwane has a dry climate with summer rainy season and a pronounced dry spell during winter. Average annual rainfall is 495 mm, with December or January the wettest month and July the driest.
Distance from key points
Polokwane is served by two airports. A public airport, Polokwane International Airport, is just north of the city, (5.5km away from the city centre) while the smaller Pietersburg Civil Airport is south-east of the city (5.9km away).
Schools in the area
Some of the well-known schooling facilities in Polokwane include; Elica Primary School, Myngenoegen English Private School, Pietersburg Comprehensive School, Curro Heuwelkruin Independent School, Hoërskool Noorderland, Pietersburg Laerskool, Taxila Secondary School, Bokamoso Senior Secondary School, and Prenora Preparatory School.
The University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus is also situated about 30 km east of Polokwane.
Medical facilities
Netcare Pholoso Hospital, Polokwane Hospital, Mediclinic Limpopo, along with the Polokwane Provincial Hospital are great medical facilities available for residents in the city.
Shopping Malls
Convenient shopping malls in Polokwane include; Limpopo Mall, Savannah Mall, Cycad mall, Thornhill mall, as well as the Mall of the North.
Restaurants
If you are looking for delicious food in Polokwane, one of these top restaurants should be on top of your list; Saskia Restaurant, Ambiance Restaurant, Nguni Grill, Nguni Grill, The Sugar Cube, Cubaña, and Asha's Restaurant.
Special Attractions
Polokwane was the first city to unveil a bust of the ex-president Nelson Mandela in its City Square which was personally authorised by Nelson Mandela.
The city's art gallery features an extensive art collection which is popular with art lovers from all over the world.
Polokwane is very popular with ecotourists due to the various nature and wildlife viewing opportunities available, such as the Polokwane Game Reserve, Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park, Cheune Crocodile Farm, Moletzie Bird Sanctuary, and Modjadji Rainforest near Duiwelskloof.
Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is a Moroccan-style casino with various outdoor entertainment amenities, such as go-karts, minigolf, and a wildlife park.
The city is also renowned as the premier hunting destination in the country.
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