Stilfontein

Stilfontein (Afrikaans for quiet spring) is a mining town with 17,942 inhabitants, situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom in North West Province of South Africa.

Stilfontein
Stilfontein
Stilfontein
Coordinates: 26°50′34″S 26°46′28″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceNorth West
DistrictDr Kenneth Kaunda
MunicipalityCity of Matlosana
Area
 • Total138.82 km2 (53.60 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total17,942
 • Density130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African42.5%
 • Coloured1.5%
 • Indian/Asian0.3%
 • White55.5%
 • Other0.2%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans53.2%
 • Tswana52.1%
 • English10.6%
 • Sotho10.2%
 • Other14.8%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
2550
PO box
2551
Area code018

History

Stilfontein was established in 1949 as a residential centre for three large gold mines, the Hartebeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein mines.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Stilfontein was 17,942. The population density was 1,717 persons per km² (663 persons per mi²).

Tourist attractions
  • Hartebeesfontein Gold Mine
  • Annual Rose Festival in spring

Earthquakes

Stilfontein was struck by a mining-related earthquake on 9 March 2005, which damaged buildings in the town, which was followed by the closure of the Hartebeesfontein and Buffelsfontein mines when the Stilfontein Gold Mining was handed over into liquidation.[2] The Simmer and Jack Mines took over the mines but disaster struck again on 23 March 2006 when a fire trapped 8 miners underground at the Buffelsfontein mine.

Politics

Current Freedom Front Plus (FF+) Leader Pieter Groenewald started his political career in this town by being elected mayor in 1988. Groenewald was soon elected to represent the town in the then House of Assembly of South Africa for the Conservative Party.[3]

Following the 1994 general elections, the town became a traditional stronghold for the Democratic Alliance (DA) with the party performing better than 60% in each of the general and municipal elections.[4] Stilfontein is part of the Matlosana Local Municipality.

In the 2019 general elections, the FF+ significantly made inroads in this community with the party narrowly achieving a plurality of the votes on the provincial ballot. The DA achieved a narrow plurality of the national votes.[5]

On 10 July 2019, a municipal by-election was held in the town as a result of the resignation of a DA councillor. The FF+ candidate Stephanus Petrus Kloppers won the ward with 56.51% of the vote, a gain of 32.84%. Kloppers is the first FF+ ward councillor in South Africa.[6][7]

2019 Stilfontein (Ward 30) municipal by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Freedom Front Plus Stephanus Petrus Kloppers 946 56.51 32.84
Democratic Alliance Beatrice Aletta Susanna Campbell Cloete 487 29.14 33.23
African National Congress Mamiki Anna Makhetha 135 8.08 0.39
Independent Ratepayers of SA Jonathan Johannes Fourie 93 5.57 1.48
Economic Freedom Fighters Nhlanhla Lucky Moremi 10 0.60 0.69
Majority 459 27.47 N/A
Turnout 1,671 34.16 18.80
Registered electors 5,031
Freedom Front Plus gain from Democratic Alliance Swing 32.84

References
  1. "Main Place Stilfontein". Census 2011.
  2. http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/business/business1115643437.aspx
  3. DA loses out to Freedom Front Plus in by-election. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
  4. Freedom Front Plus wins DA ward in North West, ANC retains seats in Mpumalanga. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
  5. FF+ makes loud statement in Stilfontein. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
  6. Results of the Municipal By-Elections held on 10 July 2019. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.
  7. FF Plus wins DA ward in North West as ANC retains seats in Mpumalanga. Retrieved on 11 July 2019.


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