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The Northern Cape, a vast expanse of semi-desert, is full of gems; of hidden and not-so-hidden treasures. Visitors can expect to
find flamboyant flower displays in this partially-arid region, as well as awe-inspiring man-made structures and a rich South African history. Owners of real estate in the Northern Cape and Karoo delight in this beauty all year round, as they enjoy countrified living in rustic surrounds.
The west of this sometimes-barren undulating landscape is graced by winter rainfall, resulting in breathtaking blasts of colour as flowers cover the once arid ground. It is a region of extremes, a place where eastern thunderstorms are noteworthy, where temperatures along the Orange River can reach 39°C, or a freezing average of -6°C in Sutherland in the Karoo. Bear this in mind when you decide to purchase properties for sale in the Northern Cape and Karoo!
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NORTHERN CAPE & KAROO REAL ESTATE: FROM DUST TO DIAMONDS |
 Famousfor its mining wealth, the Northern Cape is the only place in the world where one can go on a guided tour of an operational diamond mine, or observe one of the planet’s largest open-cast, iron-ore mines. Here, the red earth of the Kalahari has been excavated to such an extent that its landscape is one that contains awesome gigantic pits. And although its discovery dates back to 1685, copper mining in Namakwa remains rich and prosperous today. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Universe’, Sutherland is famed for its pure fresh air andis home to the South African Astronomical Observatory and the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. Sutherland property offers utter peace and solitude – most unlike property in more bustling areas of the Northern Cape!
For the action-orientated, the Northern Cape does not disappoint. The Vanderkloof Dam, the second biggest dam with the highest dam wall in South Africa, is also a popular holiday resort destination. A full dam offers a 100 km of water, ideal for sailing, skiing and windsurfing, while the infinite open spaces – almost devoid of people – provide a paradise for 4x4 eco adventures or guided hunting.
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PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN NORTHERN CAPE AND KAROO |
The Northern Cape and the Karoo typically offer properties that are steeped in South African history and culture. Imagine old-world farming homesteads, working farms, colonial manors, quaint Victorian-style homes and of course, the modern family home of today.
Explore Pam Golding Properties’ selection of real estate for sale in Northern Cape and Karoo, or contact our Northern Cape and Karoo property branch to discover our latest property additions. |
COUNTRY LIVING: KAROO PROPERTIES THAT CHARM AND ENCHANT |
 The little towns of the Karoo are characterised by a unique style of architecture, where simple structures with Victorian influences are easily distinguishable for their prominent, covered verandas that offer protection from the African sun. The historical town of Graaff-Reinet emerges like a verdant oasis in the stark surrounding landscape, and is home to more national monuments than any other town in South Africa. In more rural areas, one finds examples of Khoisan Rock art, the engravings left by this famous group of nomadic people.
Stories of diamond discoveries and Anglo-Boer war conflicts are part of the Northern Cape’s history, much of which began in Kimberley. Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Province, has a history that is as alluring as a dramatic film. In 1866, the first diamond was discovered here – a 21.25 carat yellow diamond called ‘Eureka’. But it was only in 1871 after the discovery of an 83.50 carat diamond that the world’s treasure hunters flocked to the Northern Cape.
Tens of thousands rushed to the area to feverishly dig a hole, and the first dwellers began to move into makeshift properties in the Northern Cape and Karoo. A shanty town sprang up, mushrooming quickly into a town called Kimberley. The famous hole, known as the ‘Big Hole’, eventually reached colossal proportions, and today measures 215 metres deep with a perimeter of 1.6 km.
The legend tells of a time of great greed, hedonism and riots until the diamond industry stabilised with the creation of De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, under the leadership of Cecil John Rhodes. De Beers monopolised the world’s diamond markets and furthered South Africa’s reputation as a rich and lucrative country. Real estate in the Northern Cape and Karoo became even more popular, and those seeking better opportunities quickly sought properties for sale in Northern Cape and Karoo.
Belgravia, the famous historical suburb of Kimberley, is host to 33 of the city’s famous sites and unashamedly bears traces of a time of great opulence and grandeur. De Aar, mainly a farming district, known for its hunting and Khoisan rock engravings, is the second most important railway junction in South Africa, and was once home to Olive Schreiner, the famous author and feminist, whose home is now a thriving restaurant.
Kuruman, aptly described as the ‘oasis of the Kalahari’, is a mountainous area with dense vegetation and an abundance of water. Blessed with a natural fountain called ‘The Eye’, Kuruman delivers approximately 20 to 30 million litres of crystal-clear water each day. This area also has a great deal of history dating back to the early 1800s, when courageous missionaries, including the family of David Livingstone, paved the way for literacy, printing and education through their translations of the bible into native languages. Another town rich in culture and history is Upington, which is situated on the banks of the Orange River, one of South Africa’s largest rivers. Established in 1880, it is now the commercial, agricultural and educational district of the Gordonia, and relies heavily on tourism.
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NORTHERN CAPE AND KAROO WEATHER |
The Northern Cape is a semi-arid region with little rainfall in summer. Winter-rains do occur along the coast. Cold and frosty in winter and extremely high temperatures in summer. Sutherland can reach -6º C. In winter snow often occurs on the mountains. |
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