Soroptimist International South Africa

Soroptimist International of South Africa Annual General Meeting
3 to 5 September 2010, Mafikeng

More about Mafikeng

The original name of the city, Mahikeng, literally means 'the place among rocks'. The name refers to the volcanic rocks that provided temporary shelter to Stone Age humans in their hunt on animals drinking water in the Molopo River. This name was given to the area in 1852 by early BaRolong chiefs who had settled along the river, near the present day village of Rooigrond, after the upheaval of the 'Difequane'. The Difequane was a period of intertribal war, aggravated by the passage of the exiled Zulu chief, Mzilikazi, through the area.

Most visitors to Mafikeng are surprised to find there is more to the town than the Anglo Boer War, the Mafikeng Siege and the Boy Scouts. Although the city prides itself on these three historically important events, all of them well documented, there is much, much more to be seen. To learn more about the city and province, click here.