Sasolburg is a large industrial town in the Free State Pro

Sasolburg was established in the 1950s in order to provide housing and facilities for Sasol (South African Coal, Oil and Gas) employees. The initial installation, built by the Kellogg Corporation of USA, was a pilot plant to refine oil from coal, due to the lack of petroleum reserves. The coal reserves of the country were and still are extensive. The politics of the late 1960s and early 1970s (specifically the trade embargoes against the apartheid regime) made the operation of the pilot plant a priority. Plans were made for a production plant to be built in the Eastern Transvaal to produce approximately 25% of the national requirements. The new town of Secunda was built to house the construction and operations staff of what became known as SASOL 2.

Sasolburg was the subject of a spectacular attack by Umkhonto we Sizwe - the African National Congresss military wing - in 1980. Ultimately the attack was more important for its value as "armed propaganda" than of strategic economic significance, as it indicated that Umkonto and the ANC had been able to build up sufficient infrastructure in country to strike at key targets of the apartheid administration. As such the Sasolburg attack cemented the ANCs position as the leading liberation movement in South Africa: it showed the waves of young people who had fled South Africa after the Soweto Uprising of 1976 could effectively strike back and play an active role in their countrys liberation.

Sasolburg is at a high altitude, which gives the town a very dry climate. It is situated on the Vaal river, which separates the Free State from what was formerly the province of Transvaal, and is not far from the Vaal dam where excellent windsurfing spots can be found.

Situated in the northernmost corner of the Free State, Sasolburg is one of South Africa’s outstanding examples of foresight and successful planning. The town was established in 1954, and owes it’s existence directly to the petrochemical industry. Statistics show that there are more trees and shrubs in the town than residents. Small wonder then that Sasolburg has won the Administrator’s trophy for the most beautiful large town in the Free State several times. This environmental awareness has helped Sasolburg to achieve the honour of being called the ‘Garden Town’ of the industrious Vaal Triangle.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bloemfontein 340 km, Johannesburg 80 km, Pretoria 130 km, Vanderbijlpark 15 km, Vereeninging 25 km, Welkom 200 km

Altitude: 1500 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 638 mm per annum

Average Temperatures - Summer Maximum 26,9°c; Winter Minimum 1,6°c

Banks – Absa, Fnb, People’s Bank, Standard

Rivers – Vaal

NATURE

Bird Sanctuary

Approximately 25 species of Highveld birds can be observed. A large part of the sanctuary comprises typical Free State grassveld that attracts species such as the Orangethroated Longclaw, cisticolas and larks, while the presence of small mammals in the area attracts predatory birds such as the Blackshouldered Kite and Marsh Owl. A dam and a small stream meandering through the sanctuary create a marshy habitat of reed beds, rank vegetation and water, attracting duck, cormorant, hamerkop and herons – to name but a few.

Game Camps

A number of game camps, covering an area of about 1300 ha, is situated, rather incongruously, in the town’s industrial area, as well as in other open areas. A variety of game species can be seen here, and although these camps, maintained by two of the town’s largest industries, are not generally accessible to the public, visits may be arranged upon special request.

Highveld Garden

An attractive public garden, established to preserve the natural vegetation of the Highveld region where Sasolburg is situated. The 8 km garden contains a great variety of indigenous trees, shrubs and plants and has been attractively laid out with meandering paths, rockeries and small dams. It offers the people of Sasolburg a tranquil venue for relaxation and recreation.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Sasolburg Festival – September

Abrahamsrust Recreational Resort

A lush pleasure resort situated on the banks of the Vaal River, offers a variety of accommodation to visitor – from fully equipped chalets to caravan and camping sites. Facilities further include a modern ablution block, power points and special bathroom facilities for the handicapped. Recreation is amply catered for by way of swimming pools, a water slide, mini golf course, model steam train, ponies and children’s play areas, while the river is ideal for water sports. Picnic spots and braai facilities abound, and a small enclosure housing ostriches and some antelope is of great interest to children in particular

Art gallery 88 – Contemporary art, sculpture, ceramic

Ettienne Rossouw Theatre

Opened in 1975, seats 480 people, has an orchestra pit large enough to hold a symphony orchestra, well equipped dressing rooms and a spacious, 24 m x 15 m stage. Some 90 shows covering the full spectrum of performing arts are presented here annually, as well as a number of art exhibitions. The auditorium is furthermore an excellent venue for symposiums and seminars

High-tech Chemical Industries – By appointment

Morning Market – Monthly

National Winter Swimming Championship

Riemland Eco Route

Sasol Chemical Plant - Also one of the country’s largest producers of wax

Sasol Mall

An attractive open mall provides a rural shopping atmosphere and sufficient parking

Theatre – Sasolburg’s heartbeat

Upmarket Lemon Tree Coffee Shop – Light lunches

Vaal Race Course – Horse Riding

ACTIVITIES

Hiking Riemland Eco Route Day Walk - Day walk through game camp

Leeuwspruit – A one day trail

Fishing – Vaal River has produced many record catches

Horse Racing

Regular race meetings are held at the Vaal Race Course, situated 10 km from Sasolburg

Other - Boardsailing, Powerboat Racing, Scuba Diving, Watersport, Yachting

Accommodation in and around The Panarama Route