Lethabong-Rustenburg
Lethabong is a village situated in the rural north-east of Rustenburg town outskirts in the North West Province, Bojanala District, Rustenburg local municipality. It is 40kms driving distance from Rustenburg town and 50 kms driving distance from Brits town. Situated along the D1332 road.
It is a beautiful large village/township surrounded by greenest of the greenest lands and hills for kilometres. A stone's throw there are Safari lodges, nature reserves, dams (Vaalkop and Beestekraal) and behind the village runs the Hex River between Bospoortdam and Vaalkop dam. Lekgalong, Tsitsing, Ramokokastad and Beestekraal (agriculture/farming dominated area) are some of the surrounding areas. It is also situated not too far from one of South Africa's top tourist attractions, Sun City and the Pilanesberg National Park, and about 1 hour 30 minutes from the Hartebeesport Dam.
Technically Lethabong is a village, however due to the population size and growth it can or has also been defined as a township, however a popular opinion is that the area is developing more to a 'township status' or it is in the middle of a township and village, essentially outgrowing the village status. By 'township status' we are meaning more economic activity, developed infrastructure and schools, developed housing, shopping centres, etc.
Historically Lethabong is built on a plot of state owned land called Farm Hartebeesfontein-A 228 JQ. Interestingly, walking through the farms you can find old grave sites of Afrikaners who would have previously owned the farm(s) around the area during the apartheid government or even before, or the farms were sold to the state.
The population size is approximately about 23000 (by 2011 census), making it the second largest by population size after Tlhabane township, then follows Boitekong township. Lethabong is governed by 2 municipal wards (27 and 28). With the growth of 2 more sections/extensions (Danone and Gardens), the population may have grown even more. The village consists of 4 Primary schools namely; Ruskraal, Barelwanedi, Noka ya Lorato and Fapha, and 2 Secondary/High schools namely; Iketleetso and Rethusegile. Daycares are quite numerous, however the most popular ones are Ithembalethu and Lapeng daycare. There is only a single Police Station (Lethabong police station), 1 Depot of buses (Thari), 1 formal taxi rank, 2 clinics (Hartebeesfontein and Anna Legoale), 1 community library (Lethabong community library), local municipal offices, 1 sports ground, 2 grave sites, and 1 community Hall (B Tause).
The people of Lethabong are a people of faith and belief, religious and Spiritual. There are numerous churches and a mosque in the community, there are also people who practice African belief (sangomas and traditional healers). The Churches in the community comprise of different denominations and sects namely; Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Orthodox, Methodist, United Reformed Church African Apostolic, Protestants and Charismatic, all represented in the community.
The majority of the residents are Batswana, speak Setswana, observe Setswana culture, traditions and practices. The rest of the community comprises of Amaxhosa, Basotho, Shangaans, Tsonga, Pedi, Coloured (Afrikaans speaking) and Amazulu. There is also a small group of people originating from Zimbabwe and have been living within the community for decades, the Ndebele/Shona people. They are a skilled and hardworking group of people surviving through making aluminium and cast-iron pots, brooms and various household goods. Also not forgetting to mention other migrants from Somalia, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
Economic activity in the area is very lackluster, with many residents being in the labour market (mines, retail, farms, municipality, domestic workers, drivers, teachers, etc) mainly in the 2 surrounding towns. Many of the businesses are mainly tuck/spaza shops mostly owned by foreign nationals, only one big national supermarket serves the community. There are also a few handful farmers mainly owning a handful of cows, sheep, chicken or goats. Only 1 Petrol station serves the community thus far, then there are small time informal business owners who own salons, sell kota, shebeens and stalls. Majority of the businesses dominating the community are taverns and bottle stores. With 2 Privately owned General Practitioner Doctors serving the residents on the health side.
References
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