Pofadder is the main town in the centre of Boesmanland, situated in the northwestern part of the Northern Cape. Boesmanland is an area of approximately two million hectares of which half is the district of Pofadder. Until the beginning of the 20^th century it was a Thirstland with very little water. After good rainfall the lower depressions filled with water. Farmers from Namaqualand in the western part and the Hantam in the southern part used the area for grazing (grass licences). As soon as the pans dried up, they had to move to more constant wells and springs of which were very few. Before the arrival of the white farmers, the territory was the home of nomadic Bushman and Hottentot tribes. Such a group of Korannas, under leadership of Klaas Pofadder, settled at a very strong spring close to the present day abattoir. Pofadder derives it’s name from this Koranna captain. On 27 September 1875 the Reverend Christian Schroeder came to an agreement with the Koranna to establish a mission station here, which he then named after Klaas Pofadder. The contact made provision for grazing rights for white farmers, but prohibited the import of liquor. Public land was let, wells were dug and the first farms were established in 1891 and 1892. Over the years the village has been the centre of a relatively prosperous farming community in spite of severe droughts at times. The farms are big, averaging 8000 ha. During the past three to four decades mining has also played a considerable part in the local economy. In the course of 1927 the first boreholes were sunk in Pofadder and by the year 1958 there were no fewer than 130 windmills in town. Today Pofadder is dependant on water form the Orange River, 49 km away.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Upington 225 km, Springbok 165 km

Altitude: 1050 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 125 mm

Average Temperatures – Highest 47°c ; Lowest 20°c

HISTORICAL VIEW

Dutch Reformed Church

Roman Catholic Church

Voortrekker Monument

In remembrance of the 1938 Oxwagon trek

NATURE

Ritchie Waterfall

Situated on the Pofadder Hiking Trail. Also called Verkeerdom Falls, because the river flows westwards, turns south easterly and then tumbles down the 30 m high falls.

ATTRACTIONS

Dr Ot Van Schalkwyk Park

Black rocky hills next to the Pofaffer / Kakamas road, approximately 30 km from Pofadder.

Quiver Trees (Aloe dichotoma)

En route to Onseepkans

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Pofadder Hiking Trail

For the nature lover and experienced hiker this trail offers a wonderful experience. The trail stretches over four days, with shorter one and two day options.

Accommodation in and around Pofadder