Introduction

Rustenburg is a home in the Savannah Bushveld as well as being nestled along the foothills of the Magaliesburg Mountains. This alone gives Rustenburg a beauty far beyond other locations in the world. The highest elevation of the mountain range is 1,852m above sea level and has throughout history been the seen of battles mainly during the early 1800’s.

Rustenburg is among the oldest town of the former Transvaal Province and today is a very popular tourist spot. The jacaranda tree lined streets are a beauty to see and with the Magaliesburg Mountains as a backdrop, it is a true serene picture to see in person.

History of Rustenburg

Rustenburg was established at an administrative center for the fertile valley, which produced peanuts, tobacco, citrus fruit, maize, sunflower seeds, wheat, and cattle in 1851. The Dutch Reformed Church community was established in 1859.

One of the first residents to call Rustenburg home were of Indian ancestry with the Bhyat family being one of the first to contribute to the history of Rustenburg which gave them the honor of the name of a busy street. The honor of Fatima Bhayat Street was bestowed upon Fatima Bhyat who arrived in Rustenburg with her husband in 1877.

The population of Rustenburg is mainly Batswana however; there is a strong history of Afrikaner history as well with one of the oldest Boer settlement in the north being the home of the president of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger. The home, Boekenhoutfontein, is now known as the Paul Kruger Country Museum.

History saw various battles around the area with one major one being the Second Boer War in 1899. The majority of what we know as Rustenburg during this time was a battlefield. Rustenburg has a strong history of Dutch settlers, thus the name, which means place of rest.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium – host of the 2010 World Cup

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium was named for the Bafokeng people that call the area home. The stadium is only 12 kilometers from the center of Rustenburg and will be one of the hosts of the 2010 World Cup. For this even, the stadium has been upgraded from the capacity of 38,000 to 42,000 and will host four first and two second round matches.

Other upgrades and improves included a new cantilever roof, installation of new electronic scoreboards, new seats, and upgrading the floodlights and public address system.

Transportation

Getting to and from Royal Bafokeng Stadium as well as around town is not a problem. Rustenburg is home to taxis, minibuses, and car rental or car hire facilities. Most visitors enjoy renting a car from rental agencies they known internationally as well as smaller local car hire companies. Major car hire companies can be found in most cities and at the airports as well as local car hire facilities.

Lodging Accommodations nearby Royal Bafokeng Stadium

You can find a wide array of accommodations available in Rustenburg and not far from the stadium. You will in most cases want to hire a taxi or make other arrangements of transportation to the stadium as the closest lodging facility is around 9km away.

Majwe Masweu Bed & Breakfast is located 9km from Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The B&B offers non-smoking rooms with an English breakfast served every morning. Lunch and dinner is available upon request. The cozy bed and breakfast is a great way to embrace the hospitality as well as learn more about the people that call Rustenburg home.

Africa Sky Guest House is 10km from the stadium offering facilities for children, 24-hour room service, 24-hour front desk, valet parking, internet, and cable TV. The guesthouse is nestled in the mountains and offers a peaceful place to rest and enjoy the beauty of the region.

Rustenburg Boutique Hotel is 15km from the stadium and offers a wide array of facilities such as handicap facilities, elevator, facilities for children, dry cleaning, non smoking rooms, 24 hour room service, 24 hour front desk, telephone, internet, mini-bar, personal safe, and turndown service, to name a few.

Restaurants in the area

Rustenburg is home to a large variety of delectable restaurants from fast foods to fine dining. At the top of the list of most popular restaurants includes Bataung, BJ’s Fast Food for fast food, Castle Corner if you are looking for a pub, Die “Ou Huis” if you are in the mood for South African, and Maruchelle’s Koffie Huis if you want a quick cup of coffee.

Things to do in Rustenburg

There are all kinds of things to do in and around Rustenburg from golf to museums to resorts. The most popular attractions around Rustenburg are below.

Sun City Resort is one of the most popular attractions in the area. The resort is home among the stark rugged scenery of the northwest region of South Africa surrounded by mountains and of course the beauty that is only found in this part of Africa.

Valley Of The Waves is a part of the Sun City Resort area. Any visitor that spends a night in one of the hotels in the resort area receives free access to the Valley of the Waves. This is the most modern water park in all of South Africa giving both children and adults a fun way to spend an afternoon. The large lagoon is the main attraction with a wave machine that creates 1.8-meter waves every 90 seconds. Along with this, the park also boasts five flume rides and a quite slow way to enjoy the peace and quiet the Lazy River.

The Rustenburg Nature Reserve is home on the farm that at one time belonged to President Paul Kruger. The reserve today covers 4500 hectares. The reserve is home on the western end of the Magaliesburg Protected Natural Environment. The vegetation that can be viewed includes grassland, scrub, mixed woodland, and even fynbos. A matter of fact the area is home to over 115 bush and tree species. The wildlife that call the reserve home include thirteen antelope species, leopard, caracal, black backed jackal, brown hyena, and over 230 bird species, to name a few.