Mahikeng, formerly known as Mafikeng and alternatively known as Mafeking, is the capital city of the North West Province of South Africa. The city is colloquially referred to as “Maftown”.
The city falls within the Mahikeng Local Municipality under the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of the North West Province. Mahikeng is the administrative centre and seat of both the Local Municipality and District.
Close to South Africa’s border with Botswana, Mahikeng is located approximately 19.7 km north-west of Rooigrond, 22 km south-west of Slurry, 36.2 km south-west of Ottoshoop, 65.5 km south-west of Zeerust, 280 km west of Johannesburg and 1,318 km north-east of Cape Town.
Mahikeng is built on the open veld at an elevation of 1,500 m, by the banks of the Upper Molopo River. The Madibi goldfields are some 15 km south of the town.
The name Mahikeng means “the place of rocks” in the classic Setswana language of the people of the North West Province of South Africa and the surrounding country of Botswana. It refers to volcanic rocks that provided temporary shelter for Stone Age humans in order to more easily hunt animals drinking water in the Molopo River.
However, the city is commonly pronounced as Mafikeng, in the vernacular of the Batswana people of Mmabatho.
Historically, the city was also known as Mafeking, and is still referred to as such historiographically in the context of the Siege of Mafeking and Relief of Mafeking during the Boer War.
In February 2010, Lulu Xingwana, the Minister of Arts and Culture, approved the town’s name to be changed again to Mahikeng. Despite this, the town’s ANC-run local government and most local residents still refer to the town as Mafikeng both informally and formally.
Mahikeng is home to the North-West University, Mafikeng railway station, Mmabatho Stadium, Mahikeng Airport, Mafikeng Game Reserve, and the Botsalano Game Reserve.
The city is home to several notable people in South Africa, they include the following:
- Cassper Nyovest, recording artist and producer.
- Bonang Matheba, media personality and businesswoman
- Hip Hop Pantsula (also known as HHP), artist
- Khuli Chana, artist
- Vuyo Dabula, actor
- Tuks Senganga, Motswako musician
- Gail Mabalane, actress and business woman
- Presley Chweneyagae, actor and Oscar award winner
- Katlego Danke, actress
- Keabetswe “KB” Motsilanyane, singer and actress.
- Marius Gabriel, novelist
- Fistaz Mixwell, DJ and music producer
- Rapulana Seiphemo, actor
- Zenzo Ngqobe, actor
- Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice at the Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa
