African Reservations

Rustenburg is the third oldest town of the former Transvaal Province and offers numerous places of interest. Its jacaranda tree-lined streets are the hub of a thriving agricultural and mining industry. It was founded in 1851 by burghers who, with the Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, had settled in the area a decade earlier. Rustenburg is situated some 112km northwest of Johannesburg, at the foot of the Magaliesberg. Sun City and the Pilanesberg National Park are both located approximately 60 km or a 45 minutes’ drive away.

Attractions include the Anglican Church (1871); the Dutch Reformed Church (1898 -1903); the statue of the Voortrekker girl; Paul Bodenstein Park; a tour of the Tabacco Research Institute at Kroondal; a visit President Kruger's farm Boekenhoutfontein; a circular game-viewing tour of the Rustenburg Nature Reserve; the Rustenburg Ramble which includes craft galleries, farm stalls and eating venues.

Most of the mining activity in the region is centred around platinum on the Merensky Reef which stretches from west of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve towards Marikana and Brits in the east. The two largest platinum mines in the world are to be found here.

Rustenburg's population is primarily Batswana. Many belong to the Royal Bafokeng Nation, extensive landowners earning royalties from mining operations. The Royal Bafokeng also own the stadium selected as a World Cup 2010 venue.