Modimolle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Modimolle Nylstroom
Modimolle Location in Limpopo Show map of Limpopo Modimolle Location in South Africa Show map of South Africa Modimolle Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	South Africa
Province	Limpopo
District	Waterberg
Municipality	Modimolle–Mookgophong
Area
• Total	74.9 km2 (28.9 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	8,671
• Density	115.77/km2 (299.84/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	44.3%
• Coloured	1.1%
• Indian/Asian	0.7%
• White	53.6%
• Other	0.3%
First languages (2011)
• Northern Sotho	27.4%
• Afrikaans	53.2%
• English	4.1%
• Tsonga	3.8%
• Other	11.5%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	0510
PO box	0510
Area code	014

Modimolle, also known as Nylstroom, is a town in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is located near the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif. This medium-sized town is important for farming, growing things like citrus fruits and grapes, and raising cattle. It is also a place where people visit to see wildlife and enjoy nature. Modimolle is about 135 kilometers (84 miles) north of Pretoria, which is one of South Africa's capital cities.

The Waterberg Biosphere is a very large natural area to the north of Modimolle. It is recognized by UNESCO as a special place called a Biosphere Reserve. This means it is important for both nature and people. The Waterberg area covers about 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles). It was the first region in northern South Africa to be named a Biosphere Reserve. Over millions of years, rivers shaped the land, creating unique hills and cliffs. The natural environment here is like a dry deciduous forest, often called a Bushveld.

History of Modimolle

In the 1860s, a group of travelers called the Jerusalem Trekkers were on a journey. They hoped to reach the Holy Land. When they found a wide river flowing north, they looked at maps in their Bibles. They thought it was the Nylrivier, which means Nile River. So, they named the river Nyl River and started a town there in 1866, calling it Nylstroom.

The "Pyramid" Discovery

The trekkers found what they believed was a ruined pyramid. This made them even more sure they had found the Nile. But it was actually a natural hill. Local people knew this hill as Modimolle. In March 1866, the area around Nylstroom became part of a new district called Waterberg. A local government office was set up in Nylstroom.

A Dutch Reformed Church was built in the town in 1889. It is the oldest church north of Pretoria. During the Second Boer War, this church was even used as a hospital. The Nyl River is a branch of the Mogalakwena River.

Railway and War History

The first railway line reached Modimolle in 1898. This connected the town to Pretoria. During the Second Boer War, the British government set up a concentration camp in Modimolle. This camp held Boer women and children. It was part of a plan by Lord Kitchener to destroy resources, known as the scorched earth policy. Sadly, 544 people in the camp died before the war ended in 1902.

Strijdom Huis (Strijdom House) is in Modimolle. It was the home of JG Strijdom, who was the 6th Prime Minister of South Africa.

Name Change and New Names

The South African government officially changed the town's name to Modimolle in 2002. The name comes from the Sotho-Tswana language. Modimo o lle means "the forefather's spirit has eaten" or "God has eaten."

Other places in the town also had their names changed. A local government building and the town hall were renamed after Oliver Tambo. The library was renamed the Ruth First Memorial Library. Several streets also received new names.

Notable People from Modimolle

Many interesting people have connections to Modimolle:

• Christiaan Beyers - A Boer general and military leader.
• Carel Boshoff - A professor of theology.
• Lucas Malan - An Afrikaans academic and poet.
• Eugène Marais - A poet, journalist, lawyer, and naturalist.
• Gerard Moerdijk - A famous architect.
• Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom - The 5th Prime Minister of South Africa.