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Balfour, Mpumalanga facts for kids

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Balfour
Skyline photo of central Balfour
Skyline photo of central Balfour
Balfour is located in Mpumalanga
Balfour
Balfour
Location in Mpumalanga
Balfour is located in South Africa
Balfour
Balfour
Location in South Africa
Country South Africa
Province Mpumalanga
District Gert Sibande
Municipality Dipaleseng
Area
 • Total 12.06 km2 (4.66 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 3,201
 • Density 265.42/km2 (687.4/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African 50.2%
 • Coloured 1.4%
 • Indian/Asian 9.4%
 • White 38.4%
 • Other 0.6%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans 5.6%
 • Zulu 60.7%
 • English 15.4%
 • Sotho 40.3%
 • Other 10.7%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
2410
PO box
2410
Area code +27 17 773

Balfour is a growing town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. It is known for its gold mining and maize farming. This town is an important part of the local economy.

Discovering Balfour's Past

Balfour has an interesting history. It is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Johannesburg. The town was first established on two farms. These farms belonged to a man named Frederick Stuart McHattie.

How Balfour Got Its Name

In 1897, the town was first named McHattiesburg, after Frederick Stuart McHattie. It officially became a town on February 16, 1898. Later, on February 15, 1905, its name was changed to Balfour. This new name honored Arthur James Balfour. He was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1902 to 1905. He visited South Africa in the year the town was renamed.

Life in Balfour

Balfour is a small but active town. According to the 2011 census, about 3,201 people live there. The town covers an area of about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles).

Languages Spoken in Balfour

Many different languages are spoken in Balfour. The most common language is Zulu, spoken by over 60% of the people. Other languages include Sotho, English, and Afrikaans. This mix of languages shows the rich culture of the area.

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