Kuruman Area Information

Kuruman at a glance

Kuruman is known as "the Oasis of the Kalahari" and for many, this town under the beating Kalahari sun is a wonderful home. The town is home to the biggest natural spring in the southern hemisphere. This spring, known as The Eye of Kuruman, is both the town's water source and its biggest tourist attraction.

 The town's thriving economy is supported by agriculture (mainly cattle and game) and mineral mining. The area is rich with deposits of manganese and iron ore as well the world's richest supply of crocidolite (blue asbestos). For various reasons, Kuruman is a great place to live and work, especially if you're looking for a sense of community far from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

A brief history of Kuruman

Over and above being known as an oasis, Kuruman is sometimes referred to as "the fountain of Christianity in Africa". This stems from the fact that a Scottish missionary named Robert Moffat, who was the first man to translate the Bible into seTswana, lived here for much of his life. The Moffat family baptised converts and printed Tswana bibles using their own printing press.

While it is not altogether clear how Kuruman got its name, it is almost certainly a variation of the name "Kudumane", who was a leader of the local San people in the 1800s. The town's early Tswana inhabitants called their home "Gasegonyane" which means "little water calabash". The town of Kuruman became a missionary station in 1821, and the town was later founded in 1885. It was officially incorporated in 1916.

There was great excitement in 2021 when the Kuruman River, which originates in the Eye of Kuruman but is usually dry, flowed for the first time in more than 40 years.

Infrastructure in the area

Kuruman is linked to Kathu and Upington via the N14. If you take the N14 in the opposite direction, you'll pass through Vryburg and eventually reach Pretoria. From Kuruman, the trip to Upington on the N14 will take approximately two hours and 45 minutes, while the drive to Pretoria will take about six hours. The drive from Kuruman to Kathu will take approximately 30 minutes. Kuruman can be found along the main route from Gauteng to Upington and into Namibia.

Local weather

If you live in Kuruman, you'll experience hot conditions during the summer months. The hottest time of the year is between November and February when the mercury regularly rises into the mid to high 30s. Winter temperatures are moderate, with highs typically being in the low 20s during the day and lows being just above 0°C. Being part of the Kalahari Desert region, Kuruman does not see much rainfall. There may be two to four days of rainfall per month between October and April. Between May and September, any rainfall is rare.

Compared to other Northern Cape towns like Upington and Springbok, the weather in Kuruman is relatively mild.

Schools in Kuruman

Primary schools in Kuruman include Seodin Primary School and Kuruman Primary School. These primary schools cater for learners from Grade R to Grade 7. Little ones can start their journey to success at preschools like Kalahari Kabouters Kleuterskool & Kinderland Kleuterskool. The high school in the area is Hoërskool Kalahari.

Medical facilities in the area

If you're looking for medical care in Kuruman, the JGPR Medical Centre is a great place to go. A variety of medical practitioners practice in the centre, and within the town as a whole, you can find general practitioners, dentists, optometrists, physiotherapists and various other medical professionals.

Shopping malls and entertainment

You can head to Kuruman Mall in Livingstone Street to find just about everything you need. The list of at least 60 retailers in this mall includes Checkers, Clicks, Edgars and Woolworths, as well as fashion outlets like Ackermans, Foschini, Mr Price and Truworths. Kuruman Mall is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and from 9am to 3pm on Sundays and public holidays.

 In 2015, Kuruman Mall was upgraded and extended. It now offers approximately 26 000m² of retail space, meeting the needs of residents as well as miners and farmers from surrounding areas.

When it comes to entertainment in Kuruman, Oasis Casino offers regular events as well as games. There's something here for everyone - from novice gamers to casino regulars - to enjoy.

If you're a keen golfer, you'll want to head to Kuruman Country Club, which offers a challenging nine-hole course that is said to keep any golfer on his or her toes. Early morning and late afternoon games are recommended as a way of avoiding the Kalahari sun at its most intense.

Restaurants in Kuruman

When residents of Kuruman go out for a meal, one of the places they often head to is Rostili Beef and Beer. As the name implies, you can enjoy a great steak and ale here, and you'll also find sushi and an array of fine foods. Oasis Casino's Signature Grill offers a smorgasbord of grills, seafood, pizzas, burgers and more.

If you're looking for dessert or a slice of delectable cake, the place to go in Kuruman is Die Geel Kombuis. When you need a cup of freshly roasted Arabica coffee, MeerCup Roastery and Coffee Shop is where you need to be.

If you live in Kuruman, you can also enjoy a meal from one of South Africa's well-loved restaurants and fast food franchises including Steers, Debonairs, Fishaways and Spur.

Special attractions in Kuruman

Residents of Kuruman can visit one of the largest natural springs in the southern hemisphere, which is known as The Eye of Kuruman. This can be found in the centre of town on the N14. Every day, about 20 000 cubic metres of fresh water flows through the eye, which forms the town's water supply. The water in this spring, which comes from deep underground, creates a green belt amid its semi-desert thornveld surroundings. The spring is a well-known geological feature of the Northern Cape.

History buffs should not miss a trip to Moffat Mission, which houses the old cast-iron printing press that was used to print the first Tswana Bibles. You'll also find other historical artefacts like an ox wagon and a sundial dating back to 1831.

For a unique cultural experience in Kuruman, look no further than Workshop Ko Kasi. This dynamic ecotourism hub offers cultural experiences, meals and African spa treatments, as well as a great place to camp. If you're looking for the perfect gift for somebody, Workshop Ko Kasi is a great place to buy an eco-friendly African gift.

As a whole, the Northern Cape province is known for its striking geological features. Another feature not too far from Kuruman is Boesmansgat, which is the largest sinkhole of its kind in the world - and also one of the deepest. Adrenaline junkies can go swimming or cave diving at Boesmansgat, which can be accessed through Mount Carmel Farm, approximately 65km from Kuruman.

Make Kuruman the next chapter of your family's story. If you're interested in buying, selling or renting property in Kuruman, contact the team from Jawitz Properties today.

Image credit: Photo via Flickr: South African Tourism / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence