Bethanie, North West

Bethanie is a town in Bojanala District Municipality in the North West province of South Africa.

The Bell tower in Bethanie is one of the oldest structures in the village. It was constructed in the late 1800s as part of the Mission.

Bethanie
Bethanie is located in North West (South African province)
Bethanie
Bethanie
Bethanie is located in South Africa
Bethanie
Bethanie
Coordinates: 25.554°S 27.606°E / -25.554; 27.606
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceNorth West
DistrictBojanala
MunicipalityRustenburg
Government
 • Paramount ChiefMamogale
Area
[1]
 • Total27.87 km2 (10.76 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total8,429
 • Density300/km2 (780/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African99.1%
 • Coloured0.1%
 • Indian/Asian0.4%
 • White0.1%
 • Other0.3%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Tswana79.2%
 • Zulu5.2%
 • English4.8%
 • Tsonga2.1%
 • Other8.7%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
0260
PO box
0270
Area code012

Bethanie is a station of the Hermannsburg Mission, established in 1864, and located 37 km northeast of Rustenburg. The name is of biblical origin (Matthew 26:6, Mark 14:3 Mark 11:1), and is Hebrew for 'house of sorrow or misery'.[2]

Bethanie is the capital town of Bakwena Ba Mogopa, a SeTswana-speaking traditional community.

Demographics

The station hosts multiple races.

History

It is one of 15 villages that form part of Bakwena Ba Mogopa nation. The village was previously a farm called Losperfontein, owned by Tjaart Kruger, President Paul Kruger's younger brother. The community purchased the farm around 1866, with the assistance of missionary Wilhelm Behrenssen, and it was renamed Bethanie.

Facilities

Bethanie has a police station that renders services to nearby[3] places such as Modikoe and Berseba.

A view of Bethanie, with the iconic Lutheran Church a centerpiece.

References
  1. "Main Place Bethanie". Census 2011.
  2. Raper, Peter E. (1987). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Internet Archive. p. 76. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  3. "Police Station ( Bethanie )".


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