PIETERSBURG

town and capital of Northern province, South Africa. It is located about midway between Pretoria and the Zimbabwe border, at an elevation of 4,199 feet (1,280 m). The town was founded by Voortrekkers (Afrikaans: Pioneers) in 1886 on land purchased in 1884 from a local farmer and was named after Petrus (Piet) Joubert, a Boer general. It was the temporary capital in 1900 of both the Transvaal and the Orange Free State during the South African War. The British occupied the town in 1901. Pietersburg is now a centre of trade for the surrounding agricultural area, which produces potatoes, alfalfa (lucerne), garlic, corn (maize), sorghum, peanuts (groundnuts), and fruits and includes some of the finest cattle ranches in South Africa. It is the largest urban area in Northern province and is an educational centre. The University of the North (founded 1959) is located at Turfloop 14 miles (22.5 km) east of Pietersburg. Industries in the town produce processed meat, asbestos and corundum products, dairy products, fruit juice, mineral waters, and candy. To the south of the town there is a nature reserve and recreation park. There is also a large military air installation. Pietersburg has major road and railway connections with the South AfricaZimbabwe border (north) and with Johannesburg. Pop. (1985) 29,909.