Bethal is a farming town situated along the N17 National Route in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The town lies 155 km east of Johannesburg on the N17 Highway.
Bethal originated on an old farm called Blesbokspruit. The town was established on 12 October 1880, and was named after the combined names of the wives of the owners of the farm, Elizabeth du Plooy and Alida Naude. It became a municipality in 1921.
Bethal lies in South Africa’s coal mining region and there are mines close by.
The Olifants River has its origin near Bethal. The river eventually flows into the Limpopo River in Mozambique.
Bethal is situated at the intersection of three main roads, the N17, R35, R38, and the R545.
The farms in Bethal produce maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye and potatoes.
Bethal lies in what is known as Cosmos Country, the south western area of Mpumalanga that is at the centre of the country’s coal mining.visitor.
