Springbok, South Africa

Ecology

Springbok experiences low levels of air humidity, limited soil moisture and severe sunshine throughout the year. This often arid area is home to seasonal vegetation and drought resistant succulents like the kokerboom which have adapted to the harsh conditions to survive.

What would generally be an unfavourable environment for vegetation, this area experiences high floral diversity. Springbok is especially fascinating since almost half of the plant species here are found nowhere else in the world.

When the winter rain falls, the Goegap Nature Reserve, home to the Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden, with outcrops of granite, is covered in spring flowers like irises and orchids.

The streets lead off from a central little koppie (hill) which now shows off Namaqualand’s strange flora, such as the almost leafless Quiver tree whose branches were used by San people to hold their arrows. This area is famed for the spectacular transformation which occurs every spring, when the near-lifeless scrubland explodes into colour from thousands of flowers hidden in the dry dusty earth, brought to life by winter rains.

Springbok hosts a field office of Conservation South Africa, which works in the wider Namakwa District on biodiversity-linked rural development and landscape management.

History

The town was founded on the farm Melkboschkuil when the farm was acquired from Kowie Cloete for £750 (£573,000 or ZAR6,705,520 in 2010) in 1852 so as to establish a copper mine. In 1862 the town of Springbokfontein was laid out. The -fontein (fountain) was dropped in later years.

The "Klipkoppie" was used during the Second Boer War as a fort by the Boers under General Manie Maritz as it provided an excellent vantage point across the valley. Remains of stone walls inside the koppie can still be seen today. Next to the "Klipkoppie" is the beautiful Klipkerk (Stone Church) which was built in 1921.

Tourism

The town’s mining history, flora and connection to the Second Boer War makes it a rich hub of natural and cultural heritage. It is still widely used as a stopover for those travelling between South Africa and Namibia.

Monument Koppie, a small hill situated in the centre of the town, remains a historical site and landmark. While most of this area was destroyed by dynamite, planted by a commando, led by General Jan Smuts, some of the remains still stand today.

Copper was first discovered in the area by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, in 1685. Blue Mine is believed to mark the origins of commercial mining in South Africa. The area has a blue tinge formed when copper reacts with oxygen in the air.

The Goegap Nature Reserve, south-east of the main town, is a conservation area that gets covered in spring flowers. It also the home of several mammalian species like springbok, gemsbok and aardwolf. Throughout the year tourists visit for hikes and mountain biking on the trails and routes across the tranquil land.

Climate

Springbok has a warm semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh) with hot, dry summers, mild winters, and ample sunshine throughout the year.

|Jan record high C = 39.3 |Feb record high C = 39.3 |Mar record high C = 37.9 |Apr record high C = 35.8 |May record high C = 32.3 |Jun record high C = 28.6 |Jul record high C = 27.9 |Aug record high C = 31.5 |Sep record high C = 34.2 |Oct record high C = 38.3 |Nov record high C = 39.5 |Dec record high C = 39.4 |Jan record low C = 6.0 |Feb record low C = 7.1 |Mar record low C = 4.4 |Apr record low C = 3.8 |May record low C = 1.4 |Jun record low C = 0.3 |Jul record low C = 0.1 |Aug record low C = -1.4 |Sep record low C = -1.4 |Oct record low C = -0.8 |Nov record low C = 3.2 |Dec record low C = 4.9 |access-date = January 20, 2024}} |access-date= 27 December 2024}}

Gallery

File:Namaqualand, Goegap 1035.jpg|Flowering Desert File:Namaqualand, Goegap 0035.jpg|Goegap Nature Reserve File:Springbok 2008-12-12.jpg|Springbok at dusk File:Springbok from the old cemetery JAN 2007.jpg|Springbok from the old cemetery File:Blue Mine, Springbok, South Africa.jpg|Blue Mine, Springbok File:Namaqua NP3.jpg|Namaqua NP3 File:LOCUSTS. HOPPERS, LOCUSTS in wingless phase, crossing roads in the Northern Cape, South Africia. This swarm between Riemvasmaak and Springbok.jpg|Swarm of wingless locusts between Riemvasmaak and Springbok File:Springbok Dutch Reformed Church, Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa (20352144218).jpg|Dutch Reformed Church, Springbok File:Smelter Chimney, Springbok.JPG|Springbok western cape Wikivoyage Banner

References

References

1. "Main Place Springbok". Census 2011.
2. (August 5, 2015). "Springbok (Northern Cape)".
3. "Census 2011: Main Place: Springbok".
4. "South Africa".
5. [http://www.measuringworth.com Measuring Worth], Relative Value of a UK Pound Amount - average earnings, retrieved on the 02/07/2010
6. [http://www.xe.com XE.com], Universal Currency Converter, retrieved on the 02/07/2010
7. "Namaqualand municipal tourist information, History of Springbok".
8. "Search results for "springbok" | Namakwa District Municipality".
9. [http://www.northerncape.org.za/getting_around/towns/Springbok/ Northern Cape: South Africa. Springbok.]
10. "Springbok Info.".
11. (23 October 2023). "Table 1 Overview of the Köppen-Geiger climate classes including the defining criteria.". Nature: Scientific Data.