Kuruman Attractions
Kuruman lies in arid country on the northwestern borders of the Northern Cape Province. It grew up round the source of the Kuruman River, the ''Eye of Kuruman'', a spring which produces 18 to 20 million liters (4 to 4.5 million gallons) of water a day - enough to supply the town with water and irrigate a 6km/4mi long valley. The economy of the area is based on mining and cattle-farming.
In 1821 Robert Moffat founded here what became the best known mission station in the whole of South Africa. Here he baptized the first members of the local Tswana tribe in 1829, translated the Bible into their language, which had never previously been written, and printed the first copies himself on a simple printing-press. From here David Livingstone set out on his journeys of exploration into the interior of Africa, and here too, in the mission church, he married Moffat's daughter Mary in 1838. The mission is now run by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.
Kuruman is an attractive little town which preserves some buildings dating from the early days of the mission. The Eye of Kuruman, in a beautiful park, gushes out of a cleft in the dolomitic rock and fills a small pond. The park with its shady trees is an ideal spot for a relaxed picnic.
In 1821 Robert Moffat founded here what became the best known mission station in the whole of South Africa. Here he baptized the first members of the local Tswana tribe in 1829, translated the Bible into their language, which had never previously been written, and printed the first copies himself on a simple printing-press. From here David Livingstone set out on his journeys of exploration into the interior of Africa, and here too, in the mission church, he married Moffat's daughter Mary in 1838. The mission is now run by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.
Kuruman is an attractive little town which preserves some buildings dating from the early days of the mission. The Eye of Kuruman, in a beautiful park, gushes out of a cleft in the dolomitic rock and fills a small pond. The park with its shady trees is an ideal spot for a relaxed picnic.
Kuruman Nature Reserve
1km/.75,i outside the town is the Kuruman Nature Reserve (area 850ha/2,100ac), in which live rhinos, ostriches and various species of antelopes and gazelles.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 |
| Close | 18:00 |
Moffat Mission
The mission church, built in 1831, is now a national monument. For many years this simple church, which could accommodate a congregation of 1,000, was the tallest building in the Northern Cape. Recently restored, it is now part of a museum complex which also includes the Moffat family home and a schoolhouse.
Wonderwerk Cave
In the Wonderwerk Cave, 25km/15mi south of Kuruman, are notable Bushman paintings. Some of them are over 10,000 years old.
