Christiana Noordwes Provinsie / North West Province
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Christiana was once a bustling diamond digger's haven, but today it hums with an all-together different life and industry. Nestled on the banks of the slow-flowing, beautiful Vaal River, which is Christiana's main attraction, the town has a distinct pleasant holiday and working farm feel to it. There are forever anglers on the move to their favourite fishing holes, bright and fast spraying speedboats trailed by barefoot skiers going through their breathtaking acrobatic manoeuvres while eco-enthusiasts do a quiet game drive in the nearby Aventura Vaal Spa Nature Reserve. In the mean time another load of cattle is delivered at the world famous Beefmaster feedlot while trucks laden with locally made bricks leave to feed the region's growing building industry. And yes, there is still an optimistic digger who occasionally sieves the river gravel in search ofa shining 'digger's dream'. Add to this the town's friendly residents, ever ready to greet a visitor with a warm smile, one could be forgiven for thinking that Christiana is a lost piece Of paradise in the centre of South Africa. No wonder the people of Christiana claim that all roads lead to their town!
Brug oor die Vaalrivier
Christiana was eens 'n woelige diamant delwersdorp, maar vandag gons dit met 'n gans ander lewenstyl en nywerhede. Die dorp is genestel op die wal van die rustige en mooi Vaalrivier, Christiana se grootste bekoring. Mens voel sommer gou dat dit 'n lekker vakansieplek is, al straal dit terselfdertyd 'n sweem van 'n aangename plaasatmosfeer uit. Daar is altyd hengelaars op pad na hul gunsteling viskuil, helderkleurige haastige skibote met kaalvoetskiërs op tou. Die skiërs laat mens na asem snak terwyl hulle met hul akrobatiese kapperjolle op die water besig is. En moenie vergeet van die vele eko-entoesiaste wat besig is met wildbesigtiging in die Aventura Vaal Spa Natuurreservaat. Tussen dit alles deur word nog 'n vrag beeste by die wêreldbekende Beefmaster voerkraal besorg terwyl vragte plaaslik vervaardigde stene die dorp verlaat om in die streek se groeiende boubehoeftes te voorsien. En ja, daar is nog n optimistiese delwer of twee wat af en toe riviersand kom sif op soek na 'n skitterende 'delwersdroom'. Voeg daarby die vriendelike dorpenaars wat altyd reg staan om besoekers met 'n warm glimlag welkom te heet en mens kan maar gerus vergewe word om jou te verbeel dat Christiana 'n stukkie verlore paradys in die middel van Suid-Afrika is. Geen wonder Christiana se mense maak daarop aanspraak dat alle paaie na hul dorp lei!
NG Klipkerk
HISTORY
Christiana was the offspring of the diamond mania during the late 1860's. Bitter arguments concerning possession of the diamondiferous reaches of the Vaal River was the order of the day. To bring order to these disputes, the matter was placed before a court for arbitration. President Marthinus Wessel Pretorius of the then Republic of Transvaal, who also laid a claim to the land, hurriedly laid out a town on the banks in a kink in the Vaal River to emphasise ownership. Magnus Forsman, Surveyor-General of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) and close friend of President Pretorius, personally took care of the measuring up of erven to set up a town. The first of these erven were sold on 25 November 1870. However, after months of deliberation, the arbiters could not reach a unanimous decision. In terms of a prior agreement, the matter then had to be placed before the Lieutenant-General of Natal, a certain Keat, for a final verdict. Keat decided on 17 October 1871 that the land in dispute be awarded to the Barolong and Batlapin, indigenous tribes of the area. The town, after initial problems were overcame, developed further with the introduction of an irrigation canal system in 1871. On 1 March 1873, the first buildings were rented out at a cost of £5 per month to set up a post office, magistrates court and a jail house. The land given to the Barolong and Batlapin in the Keat verdict was eventually made part of the ZAR in 1881. Full town status was bestowed on Christiana on 3 February 1903 with the appointing of its first town management. Mr JF Jooste was appointed the first Town Clerk. The town was named after Christiana (sic) Meyer, only daughter of President Pretorius. She acted - mostly unpaid - as Secretary to the State President for many years.
Christina Pretorius
GESKIEDENIS
Christiana het sy oorsprong te danke aan die diamantstormloop wat in die laat 1860's in die gebied geheers het. Bitter twis rakende die eienaarskap van die Vaalrivier alluviale gronde was in dié tyd aan die orde van die dag. Ten einde die belanghebbendes tot orde te roep, is daar besluit om die saak vir beslegting voor 'n arbitrasiehof te plaas. President Marthinus Wessel Pretorius van die destydse Transvaalse Republiek het ook op die grond aanspraak gemaak. Ten einde sy aanspraak op eienaarskap te beklemtoon, het hy op haastige wyse 'n dorp op die walle in waai van die Vaalrivier laat uitlê. Magnus Forsman, Landmeter-Generaal van die Zuid- Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) en huisvriend van die president, het self die opmeting van erwe met die oog op dorpstigting waargeneem. Die eerste van hierdie erwe is reeds op 25 November 1870 van die hand gesit. Sake voor die arbitrasiehof het egter nie goed verloop nie en die arbiters kon nie konsensus bereik nie. Soos vooraf deur alle partye ooreengekom, is die saak toe na die Luitenant-Generaal van Natal, ene Keat, vir finale bevinding verwys. Keat het op 17 Oktober 1871 beslis dat die grond die eiendom van die Barolong en Batlapin, inheemse volke van die gebied, moes word. Die dorp het nadat die aanvanklike tandekry-probleme oorkom is, vinniger begin ontwikkel met die bou van 'n kanaal-besproeingstelsel in 1871. Op 1 Maart 1873 word die eerste geboue teen 'n bedrag van £5 per maand verhuur ten einde voorsiening te maak vir 'n poskantoor, landroshof en tronk. Die grond wat Keat aan die Barolong en Batlapin toegeken het, is in 1881 uiteindelik aan die ZAR oorgedra. Volle dorpstatus is aan Christiana op 3 Februarie 1903 toegeken toe die eerste volwaardige dorpsbestuur ingestel is. Mnr JF Jooste is as die eerste Stadsklerk aangestel. Die dorp heet na Christiana (sic) Meyer, enigste dogter van President Pretorius. Sy het, meesal sonder besoldiging, jare lank as die sekretaresse van die ZAR Staatspresident opgetree.
Christiana suburbs
SUBURBS
The Christiana suburbs are equally fascinating and exciting. How many towns can claim that virtually every plot is big enough to start a farm on it, has a pecan nut forest and palm avenue in its midst, as well as beautiful old historical houses sharing the stage with expensive designer mansions? And then a river runs through it! The Christiana, Utlwanang and Geluksoord suburbs with their clean streets, colourful gardens, friendly people and regular smell of a barbecue in progress will appeal to any visitor. In fact, the town's clean air, wide streets, quiet late afternoons and general peacefulness enhanced by the many water canals present, invite one to take to the streets for a walk with the family, a generous jog or even an outing on a cycle.
Christiana woonbuurte
WOONBUURTE
Christiana se woonbuurte is nie alleen fassinerend nie, maar ook opwindend. Hoeveel dorpe kan daarop aanspraak maak dat 'n hoë getal van sy erwe groot genoeg is om 'n boerdery bestaan daarop te maak, 'n pekaneutplantasie en palmlaning in sy midde het, en pragtige ou geskiedkundige huisies die verhoog met peperduur ontwerpershuise deel? En dan vloei daar nog 'n rivier ook daardeur! Die Christiana, Utlwanang en Geluksoord woonbuurte sal enige besoeker beïndruk laat met hul skoon strate, kleurvolle tuine, vriendelike mense en gereelde geur in die lug van 'n vleisbraai in volle swang. Om die waarheid te sê, die dorp se skoon lug, wye strate, stil laat middae en algemene vreedsaamheid verdiep deur die menige water kanale, nooi mens uit om die strate in te vaar vir 'n wandeling met die familie, 'n lekker draf of fietsry.
Sarel Vorster Haarsnyer
CBD
Most of the retail outlets in Christiana are owned by individuals from the community. Here they still pride themselves in taking personal care of their customers and knowing their needs. Everybody is addressed on a first name basis. You can buy virtually anything ranging from a fish hook to a state of the art hi-fi. The CBD bustles with life but quite different from that in the big cities - no parking problems, no traffic congestion in peak hours and no endless queues in which to wait.
Engen
SSK
Die meerderheid kleinhandelsake in Christiana word besit deur persone uit inwonersgeledere. Hier is die handelaars nog trots op die diens wat hulle aan kliënte lewer. Hier ken hulle hul kliënte se behoeftes en verkeer op voornaamterme met mekaaar. Mens kan enigiets hier koop - van 'n vishoek tot 'n hoë tegnologe musieksentrum. Die SSK druis met lewe maar op heel ander wyse as in die groot stede - geen parkeer probleme, geen verkeersopeenhopings in spitstye en geen lang toue om in te wag nie.
SERVICES
- Churches
- Schools
- Municipal: library, civil, water
- Post office
- Telkom
- Hospital and clinic
- Town hall complex
- Cemetery
- Fire brigade
- Veterinary surgeon
- Old-age home
DIENSTE
- Kerke
- Skole
- Munisipaal: biblioteek, siviel, water
- Poskantoor
- Telkom
- Hospitaal en kliniek
- Stadsaalkompleks
- Begraafplaas
- Brandweer
- Vee-arts
- Ouetehuis
Water sports
SPORT AND TOURISM
Recreation and tourism in Christiana is mostly about romancing the river. After all, with 38km of navigable water - the surface almost always as smooth as a mirror - the town just has to be paradise to watersport enthusiasts and others who have a more quiet passion for the river. You can go spraying and skiing as you like, indulge in waterborne parasailing, canoe or swim to the closest island. Christiana has one of the biggest barefoot skiing clubs in South Africa and it is based at the Christiana Recreation Resort. Those with a more subdued river taste can take to fishing or a romantic dinner on a floating restaurant. Or you can just park your caravan on the banks in one of the two resorts and enjoy the camping experience of a lifetime. Christiana offers a variety of sports varying from karate to golf and squash to bowls. All the sporting disciplines have access to fine facilities provided in the town. Apart from the display of old digger's equipment and mineral bath at Aventura Vaal Spa, Christiana offers an array of attractions. These vary from mysterious rock art engravings and historical corkwood trees to agricultural tours of the Beefmaster feedlot.
Karate
SPORT EN TOERISME
Rekreasie en toerisme in Christiana het grotendeels met die rivier te doen. Die dorp se 38km bevaarbare water, waarvan die oppervlak meesal spieëlglad is - maak dit die paradys vir enige watersport entoesias en ander met 'n stil passie vir riviere. Mens kan uitbundig met 'n kragboot rondspeel of ure aaneen ski, jouself oorgee aan watergebaseerde skermseil, roei of swem na die naaste eiland. Christiana het nie verniet een van die grootste kaalvoet skiklubs in die land nie. Diegene met 'n meer bedaarde riviersmaak kan gerus hand aan hengel slaan of 'n romantiese aandete op die drywende restaurant probeer. Mens hoef natuurlik net 'n karavaan langs die rivier in een van die oorde te trek vir 'n kampervaring van 'n leeftyd. Christiana bied 'n verskeidenheid van sporte en dit wissel van karate tot muurbal en golf tot rolbal. Alle sporte maak gebruik van uitstekende fasiliteite wat in die dorp self geleë is. Afgesien van die uitstalling van ou delwerstoerusting en die mineraalbad by die Aventura Vaal Spa, bied Christiana heelwat besienswaardighede aan besoekers. Daar is misterieuse rotsgravure, historiese kurkbome en landboutoere deur die Beefmaster voerkrale om maar net 'n paar te noem.
Aventura Vaal Spa
VAAL SPA
More than a century ago, diamond fever gripped the area 3km from Christiana where Aventura Vaal Spa now rests in lush green seclusion on the banks of the Vaal River. Today, the resort provides equally sparkling attractions to holiday makers. Aventura Vaal Spa is a popular family getaway and stopover for travellers between the Cape and Gauteng. Impressive architecture greets you at the gate, while sparkling water and shady trees in the court of the main complex invite you to relax and make yourself at home. Renowned for its mineral baths, superb fresh-water angling and well-stocked game reserve, Vaal Spa offers a feast of outdoor and indoor sports and activities. Several swimming-pools, 2 bubble-jet baths and 8 private baths provide access to the mineral water, which is heated to 36°C in the Hydro Spa. The chalets are modern, comfortable, airconditioned and self-catering. The 400 stands in the caravan park, 83 with power points, are well laid out and fully equipped. Conference facilities for up to 300 delegates in airconditioned venues include projectors, VHS video, a PA system and secretarial services. Aventura Vaal Spa is 3-4 hours by car from Johannesburg and Pretoria. A nearby landing strip makes getting there by light aircraft even easier.
Warmwaterbronne
Meer as 'n eeu gelede het diamantkoors hoog geloop in die gebied 3km vanaf Christiana waar Aventura Vaal Spa nou in 'n lowerryke gebied aan die oewers van die Vaalrivier lê. Vandag bied die oord ewe skitterende aantreklikhede aan vakansiegangers. Aventura Vaal Spa is 'n gewilde gesinsoord en oornagplek vir reisigers tussen die Kaap en Transvaal. Indrukwekkende argitektuur verwelkom jou by die hek, en in die binnehofvan die Aventura hoofkompleks nooi kabbelende water en skaduryke bome jou om uit te span en jou tuis te maak. Vaal Spa is bekend vir sy mineraalbaddens, uitmuntende varswaterhengel en goed bevolkte wildtuin. Die oord bied talle binne- en buitesportsoorte en aktiwiteite. Verskeie swembaddens, 2 borrelbaddens en 8 privaatbaddens bied toegang tot die mineraalwater, wat in die Hidro-spa tot 36°C verhit word. Die selfsorg-chalets is modern en gerieflik, en elkeen het sy eie lugreëling. Die 400 staanplekke in die woonwapark, 83 met kragpunte, is uitstekend uitgelê en volledig toegerus. Konferensiegeriewe vir tot 300 persone in lugversorgde lokale sluit projektors, VHS-video, 'n omroepstelsel en sekretariële dienste in. Aventura Vaal Spa is 3-4 ure per motor vanaf Johannesburg en Pretoria. 'n Nabygeleë landingstrook maak dit selfs makliker om per vliegtuig daar te kom.
Industries
INDUSTRIES
Christiana has a good road and rail infrastructure. Its position on the main road between Gauteng and Cape Town as well as the availability of unlimited quantities of water, makes it an ideal venue to establish a depot or a full manufacturing plant. Many industries have indeed settled in Christiana in the past years which added to the town's ability to maintain a healthy growth rate. Christiana boasts some of the finest agricultural industries like the production of virus free seed-potatoes and the Beefmaster feedlot. Game and ostrich farms are being developed. Some of the other industries include a phosphate production plant, producers of animal feed, a fish hatchery and a world renowned clock maker.
Nywerhede
NYWERHEDE
Christiana het 'n uitstekende pad en spoor infrastruktuur. Sy ligging op die hoofpad van Gauteng na Kaapstad, asook die beskikbaarheid van 'n onuitputbare hoeveelheid water maak die dorp die ideale plek vir die oprigting van depots en selfs 'n volledige vervaardigingsnywerheid. 'n Hele aantal nywerhede het hulself die afgelope paar jaar suksesvol in Christiana gevestig. Dit het daartoe bygedra dat Christiana die vermoë om positief te groei kon volhou. Christiana spog met sommige van die beste agro-nywerhede in die land, soos byvoorbeeld die kweek van virus-vrye aartappelmoere en die Beefmaster voerkraal. Wild- en volstruisplase word tans net buite die dorp ontwikkel. Ander suksesvolle nywerhede sluit 'n fosfaatvervaardigingsaanleg, veevoervervaardigingsaanleg, visboerdery en wêreldbekende vervaardiger van staanhorlosies in.
Beefmaster
BEEFMASTER
During the 1800's, the Duke of Bedford was renowned for having the best herds of cattle in England. His pride was reflected in the brand he used for his livestock - Beefmaster. That same pride exists today in the heart of South Africa's cattle country - near the town of Christiana in the North West Province. Beefmaster is today the registered name of one of the largest privately owned feedlots in Southern Africa. As such, Beefmaster provides 8% of South Africa's red meat requirements. Beefmaster's production process draws on some of the most basic laws of nature for its success. These include careful selection of the best specimens for the most effective production, a balance between resources and demands, no wastage and reinvesting gains for continued growth. Beefmaster has more than 25 cattle rigs to transport their livestock. The fleet travels over 400 000km every month, delivering an average of 12 500 cattle. Through the whole process, stress in the animals is kept to a minimum while the livestock are closely monitored to determine the best combination of nutrition and feed rate. Knowledge has become one of the most important assets of any successful business. That is why Beefmaster invests considerable resources in its people. Beefmaster's privately founded school provides quality comprehensive education up to university entrance for children of employees.
Beefmaster
Gedurende die jare 1800, was die Hertog van Bedford daarvoor bekend dat hy die beste beeskuddes in Engeland gehad het. Sy trots het duidelik uit sy handelsmerk gespreek - Beefmaster. Daardie selfde trots bestaan vandag in die hart van Suid-Afrika se beeswêreld naby Christiana in die Noordwes Provinsie. Beefmaster is die geregistreerde handelsmerk van die grootste private voerkraal in suidelike Afrika. As sulks voorsien Beefmaster in 8% van Suid-Afrika se rooivleisbehoeftes. Beefmaster se produksieproses steun op van die mees basiese natuurwette vir sukses. Dit sluit die versigtige uitsoek van die beste diere ten einde die mees effektiewe produksie te verseker, balans tussen insette en aanvraag, geen vermorsing en herinvestering van winste om groei te verseker, in. Beefmaster beskik oor meer as 25 voertuie vir die veilige vervoer van beeste. Hierdie vloot reis maandeliks oor 'n afstand van 400 000km, ten einde 12 500 stuks beeste by die voerkraal te besorg. Deurgaans word gesorg dat die diere aan die minste moontlike stres blootgestel word terwyl elke dier sorgvuldig gemonitor word om te verseker dat die beste balans tussen voedingswaarde en voedselinname gehandhaaf word. Kennis is vandag een van die grootste bates in enige sakeonderneming. Daarom word groot bedrae geld in die ontwikkeling van Beefmaster se menslike hulpbronne belê. Beefmaster se privaat skool verseker dat werknemers se kinders kwaliteit onderrig ontvang met die oog op universiteitstoelating.
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