Standerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Standerton
|
|
|---|---|
Central business district in Standerton.
|
|
 Standerton
Location in Mpumalanga
Standerton
Location in South Africa
|
|
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Mpumalanga |
| District | Gert Sibande |
| Municipality | Lekwa |
| Established | 14 December 1878 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.56 km2 (6.78 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,530 m (5,020 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
|
|
| • Total | 10,611 |
| • Density | 604.27/km2 (1,565.1/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 39.3% |
| • White | 35.0% |
| • Coloured | 15.4% |
| • Indian/Asian | 9.1% |
| • Other | 1.2% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Afrikaans | 50.3% |
| • Zulu | 21.2% |
| • English | 17.4% |
| • Sotho | 3.5% |
| • Other | 7.6% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) |
2430
|
| PO box |
2430
|
| Area code | 017 |
Standerton is a busy town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. It sits on the banks of the Vaal River. The town is well-known for its farms, especially for raising cattle and poultry. Farmers here also grow crops like maize (corn).
The town was founded in 1876. It got its name from a Boer leader named Commandant A. H. Stander. During the First Boer War, a British army group in Standerton was surrounded by Boer forces for three months. A famous South African leader, General Jan Smuts, was elected from this area. He later helped create the League of Nations, an important international group. Standerton is also the main town for the Lekwa Local Municipality.
Contents
Exploring Standerton's Past
Standerton was officially started in 1878. It was built on a farm called Grootverlangen. The town was named after its owner, Commandant Adriaan Henrik Stander. The government of the South African Republic agreed to create the town in 1876. It became a municipality in 1903.
The place where people crossed the Vaal River was called Stander's Drift. A nearby hill was named Standerskop. Both were named after Stander. During the First Boer War (1880–81), British soldiers in the town were surrounded by Boer forces. The Boers fired at them from the nearby hill. The British soldiers held out until the war ended in February 1881.
Community Concerns in Sakhile
The area of Sakhile, near Standerton, has seen times when people expressed strong concerns about local services. These community issues led to changes in leadership. For example, in October 2009, the mayor of Lekwa Municipality, Juliet Queen Radebe-Khumalo, and other officials were replaced by the African National Congress.
What Drives Standerton's Economy?
Standerton's economy relies heavily on its natural resources and local businesses.
Farming and Agriculture
The land around Standerton is great for different types of farming. Farmers grow crops such as maize (corn), sunflower seeds, ground nuts, and potatoes. Raising animals is also important. Many farms focus on poultry (chickens and other birds) and dairy farming (producing milk and cheese).
Local Manufacturing
Standerton also has manufacturing businesses that create goods.
Standerton Mills: Making Fabrics
Standerton Mills Pty Ltd started in 1947. This company mainly makes and supplies yarn. They also produce woven industrial fabrics, which are strong materials used in many different industries.
Key Infrastructure in Standerton
Good infrastructure helps a town grow and function well.
Important Dams
Grootdraai Dam: A Water Source
The Grootdraai Dam is located less than 10 kilometers upstream from Standerton. It is on the upper part of the Vaal River. This dam collects water from a large area of 8,195 square kilometers. The dam was finished in 1982. It can hold 364 million cubic meters of water. This water is very important for the region.
Famous People from Standerton
Even though Standerton is a rural town, many talented people who became well-known in South Africa were born or grew up here.
- Arnold S de Beer – A journalist and university professor.
- Pieter Hendriks – A player for the South Africa national rugby team.
- Angel Khanyile – A member of the National Assembly of South Africa. She is a Shadow Minister of Home Affairs.
- Jaco Kriel – Another player for the South Africa national rugby team.
- Mark Lawrence – A retired international rugby union referee. He refereed his first international match in 2000. He also officiated at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.
- Frans Lourens Herman Rumpff – He served as the Chief Justice of South Africa from 1974 to 1982.
- Rooi Mahamutsa – A South African football defender. He played for the Premier Soccer League club, Free State Stars F.C. and also for Orlando Pirates.
- Mfundo Ndhlovu – A player for the South Africa national rugby sevens team.
- JC Ritchie – A professional golfer.
- Gary Van Aswegen – A Rugby union player.
- Constand Viljoen – A South African military commander. He helped start the Afrikaner Volksfront and later founded the Freedom Front.
