Lephalale
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Lephalale Ellisras |
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 Lephalale
Lephalale
Lephalale
Lephalale shown within Limpopo
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| Coordinates: 23°40′S 27°45′E / 23.667°S 27.750°ECoordinates: 23°40′S 27°45′E / 23.667°S 27.750°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Limpopo |
| District | Waterberg |
| Municipality | Lephalale |
| Established | 1960 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 66.94 km2 (25.85 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 17,639 |
| • Density | 260/km2 (680/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 58.0% |
| • Coloured | 3.3% |
| • Indian/Asian | 1.1% |
| • White | 37.2% |
| • Other | 0.4% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Afrikaans | 39.0% |
| • Northern Sotho | 22.1% |
| • English | 12.0% |
| • Tswana | 7.6% |
| • Other | 19.2% |
| Postal code (street) | 0555 |
| PO box | 0555 |
| Area code | 014 |
Lephalale or Ellisras is a coal mining town in the Limpopo province of South Africa immediately east of the Waterberg Coalfield. The town was established as Ellisras in 1960 and named after the original farm owners, Patrick Ellis and Piet Erasmus. In 2002, Ellisras was renamed Lephalale by the provincial government of Limpopo, after the main river that crosses the municipality. Lephalale is divided into three main subsections, Lephalale, Onverwacht and Marapong. Lephalale is derived from the Setswana meaning "to flow".
Late Iron Age cattle posts belonging to the Letsibogo ceramic facies have been found in the area. Some rock engravings at Nelsonkop have been recorded.
The name Ellisras origins from a combination of the surnames of Patric Ellis and Piet Erasmus who settled in the 1930s on the farm Waterkloof 502LQ. Since the opening of the main route between Vaalwater and Stockpoort during 1929 a railway bus stop developed on the farm. The central function of the newly established nodes became more evident and other facilities such as schools, churches and shops were established on the farm. Subdivision of the farm started and due to the specific locality of the river, all newly created portions have a river frontage which had a definite influence on the urban form/shape of Ellisras today.
In 1941, the Geological Survey Division of the then Department of Mining, launched an exploration programme. Iscor, the country’s largest steel producer, and also the biggest consumer of coking coal, actively participated in this programme.
Drilling was completed in 1952. In 1957, Iscor obtained the surface rights to six farms, including Grootegeluk.
The first townships that were proclaimed in Ellisras were: Ellisras (Proper) - 7 December 1960 Ellisras Extension 1–5 May 1965 Ellisras Extension 2–3 November 1971
A major influence on the growth of the farm Waterkloof 502LQ was the decision of Iscor in 1973 to continue with the development of the Grootegeluk Coal Mine. Work commenced in December 1974 on building the mine and one year later in December 1975, the actual quarrying of the mine commenced.
Grootegeluk mine was officially opened on 15 April 1981. On 3 March 1982 this mine was in full operation for the first time.
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Wikipedia