Africa Deluxe Tours Plan your tour

Town

Witbank / eMalahleni

##Witbank (a.k.a. eMalahleni) Witbank is a coal mining town in the province of Mpumalanga. It falls within the municipality of eMalahleni. It is on the main route that leads from Johannesburg and Pretoria to neighboring Mozambique. It is also the route to the popular Kruger National Park and other Private Game Reserves.

Overview

#Witbank (a.k.a. eMalahleni) Witbank is a coal mining town in the province of Mpumalanga. It falls within the municipality of eMalahleni. It is on the main route that leads from Johannesburg and Pretoria to the popular Kruger National Park, nearby private game reserves and Mozambique

The name Witbank means “white ridge” and was named by early transport riders who used to overnight at a rocky white outcrop situated here. The name eMalahleni means “place of coal”. Witbank has 22 collieries in its municipal area, as well as several power plants that produce electricity from coal. It also has a steel mill that depends on coal as well. The surrounding farmland is gradually being bought up by investors and coal mining companies.

During the South African War, Churchill, who was a reporter and captured by the Boers, escaped from Pretoria and fled Eastward to the current Mozambique. At one of the collieries at Witbank he was hidden from the Boers by people loyal to the English and assisted on his journey to Mozambique.

Tours that visit Witbank / eMalahleni

Things to see