• Source: Bethal

Bethal () is a farming town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The farms in the region produce maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye and potatoes. The town lies 155 km (96 mi) east of Johannesburg on the N17 national route.




History


The town originated on an old farm called Blesbokspruit.: 302  The town, established in on 12 October 1880, was named after the combined names of the wives of the owners of the farm, Elizabeth du Plooy and Alida Naude.: 302  It became a municipality in 1921.: 302 




Economy






= Agriculture

=
Bethal is famous for its potato industry,: 302  and the annual National Potato Festival was held there in early May, but discontinued in 2007. Other agriculture includes maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye, oats and barley. Animal husbandry includes cattle, dairy and sheep farming.: 302  Bethal was once the headquarters of AFGRI, and agricultural firm, now based in Centurion but its flour mill remains in the town.: 302 




= Mining

=
Bethal lies in South Africa's coal mining region and there are mines close by. Exxaro acquired the Total Coal South Africa in 2014 and has five mines in the area.: 302  Apart from exports, the coal is used in the Eskom power stations that dot the region.




Geography


The Olifants River has its origin near Bethal. The river eventually flows into the Limpopo River in Mozambique.




= Climate

=




Law and government


Bethal lies in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (formerly Highveld East Local Municipality) situated in the Gert Sibande District, of Mpumalanga.




Infrastructure






= Roads

=
Bethal is the crossroads of three main roads. The R38 leads out north-east to Carolina and south-west to Standerton. The R35 leads north to Middleburg 80 km (50 mi) away while the R35 connects south to Amersfoort 80 km away. The N17 connects westwards to Johannesburg and eastwards to Ermelo and Eswatini.




Notable people


Andries Coetzee – South Africa national rugby team player
Llewellyn Herbert – 2000 Summer Olympics 400 metres hurdles bronze medal winner
Basil Hirschowitz – gastroenterologist and inventor
Qedani Mahlangu – Gauteng MEC for Health
Busisiwe Mkhwebane – Public Protector of South Africa
Josia Thugwane – 1996 Summer Olympics marathon gold medal winner. South Africa's first black athlete to win an Olympic gold medal
Riaan Dempers - South African sprinter and former record holder in the 200 meters




References






External links


Bethal business & service listings
Bethal information site

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Transvaal (provinsi)
• Pulau Robben
• Bethal
• R38 (South Africa)
• N17 (South Africa)
• R35 (South Africa)
• Morgenzon
• Transvaal (province)
• R39 (South Africa)
• Daniel Jacobus Erasmus
• Kinross, Mpumalanga
• Bethal Commando