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City in Limpopo, South Africa
Photo: Setzor at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Polokwane (Place of Safety) is a city of 130,000 people (2011) in South Africa. It is the capital of the Limpopo Province. It is South Africa's largest urban centre north of Gauteng. It used to be known as Pietersburg.
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A compelling selection of paintings, ceramics, mixed media and sculptures by artists from Limpopo. Over 1000 works are housed in an indoor collection at the Danie Hough Cultural Centre in the Library Gardens complex. The museum features local art icons, such as the celebrated Jackson Hlungwani, Samson Mudzunga, Johannes Segogela, John Baloyi, Avhashoni Mainganye and Lucas Thobejane. The art museum holds regular exhibitions.
A Victorian building was prefabricated and moved to the city by German immigrant in 1906. The building was restored to its former glory in 1986 and converted into the Polokwane Museum to display the diverse cultural heritage of the city and the Limpopo province.
Exhibits 23,000 glass negatives portraying the first 5 years of the town’s history on celluloid. These were taken by photographer, Hugh Exton, between 1892 and 1945. The museum is housed in a Dutch Reformed church built in the 1890s. Bookings are essential.
The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum provides insight into the traditional and modern-day culture and lifestyle of the Bakone people. It has thatched houses, grinding stones and calabashes that were used in the olden days. A tour guide is available and a special arrangement can be made to visit the museum on Sundays. The museum is excellent for family picnics and braais. Bookings are essential.
The Polokwane Art museum curates 15 works of art produced from industrial material in an open air park. Sculptures are on permanent display. The museum was established in 1970 and is the only one of its kind in Africa.
An unusual and eclectic mix of local rural crafts, bespoke furniture and the works of many South African artists are on display at Eloff Gallery. Unlike many modern art studios which are somewhat stark, this warm and inviting gallery, opened in 1989 by Barenda Eloff, offers unusual, original works of real value.
The elegant gazebo in the Civic Square was built in 1924. The building was once the home of coach magnate, Doel Zeederberg, who established the first passenger stage-coach service between Pietersburg (now Polokwane) and Bulawayo (in Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia) in 1894. It is a reminder of an era of huge progress and the route was significant in attracting people to the region.
The Roman Catholic Church in the heart of the city was built in 1934. Although it is a relatively contemporary building, it is considered one of the city’s finest pieces of architecture. Still the home of the large Catholic congregation in Polokwane, this is a grandiose monument.
Guns confiscated at the end of the Magoeba War in 1892 were melted into one mass and put on display.
The monument marks the country's first gold crushing site and gold power plant in the country.
The cemetery houses the graves of the victims of a nearby Anglo-Boer War concentration camp.
Polokwane Game Reserve offers excellent game viewing of as many as 21 species including white rhino, sable antelope and giraffe. There are a number of walks, including a one-day 20km hiking trail with overnight accommodation. The Polokwane Nature Reserve also conserves the Pietersburg Plateau false grassland that is home to important indigenous birds such as the short-clawed lark, the ashy tit and the Kalahari scrub-robin. Comfortable accommodation is available in self-catering chalets. A well-managed and well-equipped caravan site is adjacent to the reserve.
The Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park has over 280 indigenous and exotic bird species and a variety of snakes, lizards and crocodiles. There are also numerous picnic spots as well as an 18-hole golf course.
Cape Vultures are one of the largest raptors in Africa and are endemic to South Africa. The population of Cape Vultures has been dwindling and the species is considered vulnerable. The Moletjie Bird Sanctuary in Polokwane is internationally-acclaimed for its work in the protection of the Cape Vulture.
The Polokwane Golf Club is older than the city; founded in 1863. It is rated one of the best in South Africa. Over the years, the golf course and its clubhouse have evolved it into an iconic sporting attraction. With 700 members, it is a hive of activity. US Open Champion, Retief Goosen learned to play here and Springbok golfers Ray Earle and Callie Swart both hail from the club.
The competitive game of ten-pin bowling is as mentally and physically challenging as it is just plain fun. Founded in 2012 by John Knott & Paul Altenroxel the company specialises bowling.
A fun and exciting attraction featuring world-class gaming facilities as well as entertainment for kids. Highlights include a butterfly and bird park, a fun park and several entertainment areas.
67 stores including banks, eateries and clothing outlets.
1200m
Beautiful natural surroundings in historic wildlife area. The lodge is brand new, and built to blend into the landscape. Full catering offered, very clean and efficient.
Camping with own tent. Dorm bed.
A super regional shopping mall featuring a 6 cinema movie complex and over 180 stores.
In the CBD and has over 30 stores including supermarkets and clothing outlets.
23 stores including eating spots, clothing and other retail businesses.
22 stores including an electronic goods store and printers.
5 stores and a good location.
4 stores.
20 stores including fast food outlets, airtime vendors and small independent boutiques.
32 stores ranging from clothing outlets to restaurants and small independent outlets.
10 stores at Market Street. There are another 18 shops at the Taxi Centre in the CBD that selling household wares, food and other items.
18 stores and a Cuban restaurant, bakery and businesses including KPMG.
19 stores including eateries, a supermarket and clothing shops.
By car
Take the N1 highway north from Johannesburg through Pretoria and on. Have cash at hand for the toll gates. You also might need to stop at a fuel station to refill fuel on the way.
By train
The Shosholoza Meyl, South Africa’s intercity rail service, operates a daily service (except Saturday) between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Polokwane.
By bus
Translux, Greyhound, SA Roadlink, City to City have buses to Johannesburg and the Zimbabwe border. The bus fare to Polokwane from Johannesburg with City to City is around R180.
Polokwane was a city built for the car and so public transport, as in most South African cities, is extremely limited.
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Polokwane · International · PTG
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