Muldersdrift | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Muldersdrift is home to a large hospitality industry | |
  Muldersdrift  Muldersdrift | |
| Coordinates:26°01′59″S27°51′00″E / 26.033°S 27.85°E /-26.033; 27.85 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Gauteng |
| District | West Rand |
| Municipality | Mogale City |
| Main Place | Krugersdorp |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.66 km2 (1.80 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 1,744 |
| • Density | 374/km2 (969/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 89.9% |
| • Coloured | 0.9% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.2% |
| • White | 9.1% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Tswana | 19.2% |
| • Zulu | 15.1% |
| • Sotho | 10.1% |
| • English | 8.4% |
| • Other | 47.1% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 1747 |
| PO box | 1739 |
| Area code | 011 |
Muldersdrift, in theGauteng Province ofSouth Africa, is a picturesque rural area situated 27 km north-west ofJohannesburg, between Johannesburg and theMagaliesberg mountain range.[2][3] The area falls under theWest Rand District Municipality, and is part of theMogale City Local Municipality.
Located in theKromdraai Valley and on theCrocodile River, Muldersdrift forms part of the Crocodile Ramble,[4] a scenic tourist route generally regarded as the most popular of all the craft routes around South Africa.[5] Muldersdrift is the gateway to theWest Rand, and forms part ofCradle of HumankindWorld Heritage Site.[6]
Muldersdrift is found on adrift, aford offering a safe crossing point of theCrocodile River.[7] The river crossing point was on an old wagon route that lead fromPretoria in the north-east toPotchefstroom in the south-west.[7] The area was said to have been settled in 1840s as farmland and the area acquired its name in 1866 after the Mulder family when they camped close to the river when they were unable to across thedrift due to flooding.[7] The spot would soon become anoutspan (resting spot) site for horse and oxen on the wagon route and would attract a postmaster long before the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand.[8]: 4
With its wealth of tourism establishments and more than 40 wedding venues and conference centres, It is often referred to as the "wedding capital" ofGauteng.[9][10]Home to numerous small farms, smallholdings andnurseries, the area has acquired a reputation for being an arts and cultural hub with a number of home craft industries with a number of potters, artists, brewers, and astronomers based in the area.[11][12]
TheWonder Cave near Muldersdrift is one of the show caves of theCradle of HumankindWorld Heritage Site. It is the third largest cave in South Africa[13] and one of the world's richest hominid fossil sites.[14]
Muldersdrift is home toGilroy's Brewery.[15] Also situated in Muldersdrift is Gauteng's newest casino. The Silverstar Casino and Entertainment Centre contains a variety of restaurants, retail shops, conference facilities, a spa, and a 34-room hotel.[16][17]Opened in October 2013, the 75,000 square metres (807,293 square feet) Cradlestone Mall is named after its proximity to theCradle of Humankind.[18]
Violent crimes have increased during the 21st century in Muldersdrift. The estate manager of the Heia Safari Ranch in Muldersdrift, Paul Shulze, was shot dead in the area in 2013; his own former father-in-law, Franz Richter, was shot dead in 2007 on the same estate. Also in 2013, a local woman, Mrs Liesl Botha was attacked in the same house where her daughter Alyssa Botha had been brutally murdered several months earlier.[19]
Municipalities and communities ofWest Rand District Municipality,Gauteng | ||
|---|---|---|
District seat:Randfontein | ||
| Mogale City | .svg) | |
| Merafong City | ||
| Rand West City | ||
