31/08/2025
The Story of Potchefstroom🦉
Potchefstroom, founded in 1838 by the Voortrekkers, is recognised as the second-oldest European settlement in the former Transvaal region. The oldest settlement is Klerksdorp, located about 40 km to the west. Some historians argue that the very first settlement was along the upper regions of the Schoon Spruit, between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, but it was Potchefstroom that developed into a permanent town.
From 1838 until 1840, Potchefstroom and Winburg, together with their surrounding areas, formed the Republic of Winburg-Potchefstroom. Voortrekker leader Andries Hendrik Potgieter was elected as chief commandant. In October 1840, Potgieter, Andries Pretorius and G. R. van Rooyen met and agreed that Potchefstroom would unite with Pietermaritzburg.
The political importance of Potchefstroom grew in the following decades. On 16-17 January 1852, the Sand River Convention was signed between Andries Pretorius, representing the Boers, and British delegates Major W. S. Hogge and C. M. Owen. Britain agreed not to interfere with the self governing Boer farmers north of the Vaal River, formally recognising the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek.
In 1858, the ZAR constitution stated that Potchefstroom, situated on the Mooi River, would serve as the republic’s capital, while Pretoria would be the seat of government. In May 1860, however, Potchefstroom was designated the “chief city,” and Pretoria officially became the capital.
Potchefstroom was involved in both Anglo-Boer wars. On 16 December 1880, the First Boer War began with the Boers laying siege to the old fort, which was then occupied by British troops. The siege ended on 23 March 1881 with a negotiated settlement. During the Second Boer War, the British established a concentration camp in Potchefstroom. It housed mainly Afrikaner women and children captured during Britain’s scorched earth campaign in the Boer republics.
In the early 20th century, Potchefstroom was considered as a possible capital of the Union of South Africa. At the opening of the city hall in 1909, colonial secretary Jan Smuts dismissed the idea, advising instead that Potchefstroom should aim to establish itself as an educational hub. Over time, this prediction shaped the city’s role.
Today, Potchefstroom is known as the “city of expertise.” It is home to several educational and research institutions and has developed a reputation as a centre of learning.
