PIETERSBURG TO POLOKWANE

To change a name doesn't change the town!

Polokwane got its first name in 1886, PIETERSBURG and gained city status in 1992. Pietersburg was founded because of the gold rush days of the 1880's. Polokwane is Limpopo Province's capital city. There are plus minus 53 accommodation facilities available and as much restaurants to choose from.

Polokwane is a bustling city that attracts all kinds of people. Generally speaking people are very friendly in this city. Crime and traffic accidents are at the order of the day. On the bright side...there is exciting things as well.

If you like to gamble you can go to Meropa Casino just outside town. Around the casino there's accommodation, go-cart track and a butterfly and bird sanctuary. For the tourist looking to take something cultural away you can always visit Gemco Arts, Crafts & Curios Centre - they have a brilliant collection of semi-precious stones and other jewellery, augmented by ivory jewellery and other distinctively designed ornaments. You can also enjoy watching the fascinating manufacturing stages of semi-precious beads like tiger-eyes.

Also just outside town is the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-air Museum. Here you can experience a living exhibition of local African Culture.

Also worth a visit are Makapansgat Caves and Limestone Works which is in the process of becoming a World Heritage Site. They are busy upgrading the road and parking area because at this stage it is definitely not up to standard. Here you can take a look at the archeological site, giving the most comprehensive record of hominid life in the world. A fossilized ape-man that is estimated at 3 million years old and fossilized animal and plant remains that have been discovered here. The cave played a part in a battle between the Makapan tribe and the Piet Potgieter expedition. The tour is very informative but one get the feeling that white people are very bad, which makes you feel a bit angry.

Polokwane's shopping centres can not be compared to the centres found in Gauteng as ours are small in relation to theirs, but still one need to shop. There is Middestad Centre which I don't recommend because it is very busy, mostly the locals shop here. Then there is Savannah Centre, not too big but you can get your shopping done - the second phase of are being built at the moment so hopefully our choice of shops will increase, Cycad Centre aren't big but conveniently situated in a residential area.