Krugersdorp, West Rand, Gauteng - Property, Accommodation and Conference Venues

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Accommodation in Krugersdorp, West Rand, Gauteng
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Krugersdorp in the West Rand Region of Gauteng, South Africa
Krugersdorp was founded in 1887 on Paardekraal farm as an administrative centre for the public gold diggings proclaimed in the area. Two years later the government granted 800 Pounds for trees to be planted in the municipality and today the town still has many shady trees and attractive parks, despite being a hub for local industry.

Krugersdorp also has international importance due to World Heritage Sites such as the fossil hominid sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai. An important discovery was made in 1947 at the Krugersdrop area which the skull of a hominid of about 2 million years old, the skull was hailed as the "missing link" between man and ape.

Krugersdorp was named after President Paul Kruger of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. It played an important part in South African history and came into being because of two important events in the history of South Africa: the Transvaal War of Independence (1881) and the discovery of the Witwatersrand Goldfields (1886). These events had far-reaching political and economic consequences in South Africa's development.

By the time Krugersdorp was founded, the existence of the gold reef along the Witwatersrand was well established and thousands seeking their fortunes pitched their tents and pegged their claims. In 1888, Krugersdorp was proclaimed a separate gold field.

 

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