Time stands still in Stilfontein

Margaret shaft at Stilfontein mine, the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa.

Time flies, as we all know. But if you want to enjoy the beauty of South Africa, don't rush. Take it easy, take it in slowIy... it's more like an elephant feast!

Ok, I know the idea of feasting on an elephant can be off-putting to some, given the fact that the giants of the savannah are now a threatened species, a fact that has ironically increased interest in them as a massive tourist attraction.

I am using the elephant feast metaphor to highlight the magnitude of tourism in South Africa; the many options it offers, according to one's affordability. For example, you can travel all the way to the Kruger National Park to see the elephants in the wild, but then even Dinokeng Game Reserve just 45km north of Pretoria also has elephants.

South Africa boasts some of the world's largest populations of elephants in its reserves and national parks. Even where elephants are not present, or other typical attractions in the form of spectacular natural features or grand man-made structures, travelling the length and breadth of this country always brings out something new to the fore.

The above is guaranteed, as I saw once more for myself recently, doing the short run of Route 502 between Stilfontein and Orkney - a stretch of less than 30km. I must hasten to add I had come to these gold mining rustics not to linger longer but to stretch my limbs for the start - in Orkney - of my Free State tour down the Route 30.

Stilfontein is part of Matlosana Municipality, hence Matlosana Mall is just 10 minutes drive away.

Escaping Johannesburg's tedious buzz via the N12 to the west, I drove past Soweto, Zuurbekom (where the HQ of International Penetecostal Holiness Church is located), gold mines of Westonaria and Carletonville, before stopping for a breather in Potchefstroom. The medium size academic and commercial city has a regional significance to the economy of the North West province.

Back onto the N12 thirty minutes later, I pass the sprawling Ikageng township on the right hand of the highway. Dust and smoke is the lingering memory I have of the settlement. The R502 offramp appears just before the highway hits Klerksdorp city. The top of the offramp marks the beginning of Stilfontein district and the quietness of the area is felt immediately.

Stilfontein by the way is an Afrikaans name meaning "quiet spring". It was established in 1949 according to official records but people had begun living here because gold mining in the area had started much earlier. These mines, curiously, have "spring" in their names despite the daunting task of gold mining - Hartbeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein mines.

More about the mines later because the first place you see after negotiating the offramp into the R502 is Khuma township. The laidback black settlement has a curious name, which sounds like corruption of huma, Setswana for "become rich", and khumo, meaning "wealth". It's a typical high hope name for a South African township because Khuma is no ways a picture of wealth, despite billions of dollars of gold that were extracted on its doorstep since the 1950s.

Stilfontein's favourite son Phil Masinga died in January 2019 from an illness. The former SA football international was just 49.

Earlier this year, Khuma came alive albeit via the death of its favourite son Phil Masinga. The former SA football international died of an illness aged just 49, and the shock that came with it set in motion activities that made Khuma a very busy place. The province came on board, declaring Masinga's funeral at Khuma Stadium on January 24 2019 an official provincial event. The beeline of VIPs to Masinga home, the memorial service that was attended by Bafana Bafana greats and club owners and the funeral itself left memories Khuma residents will hold on to for years to come despite the sadness that came with losing their biggest star.

Khuma does not have a hospitality sector, so during Masinga's bereavement traveling mourners found accommodation in Stilfontein town.

Overall, Stilfontein, despite its fading mining economy, still draws some attention.

Quick facts about Stilfontein

• It's a young town, founded only in 1949 to provide residential and commercial centres after the three gold mines of Hartbeesfontein, Buffelsfontein and Stilfontein were founded.

• It forms part of the KOSH tourism area (Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartbeesfontein).

• It's proximity to the city of Klerksdorp allows Stilfontein to be considered for accommodation by individuals and groups travelling to Klerksdorp for business, sport or pleasure.

• The Margaret shaft at Stilfontein mine was the first concrete headgear ever to be erected in South Africa. Only materials and skills sourced in the area were used to build the structure.

• It's the hometown of popular musicians Lesego and Bucie.

Cooling off in the pool at the Wawielpark resort on Vaal River banks, 25 minutes drive from Stilfontein town via the Vermaasdrift Rd.

Attractions in/near Stilfontein

• Wawielpark Holiday Resort on Vaal River banks

• Faan Mentjies Nature Park

• Klerksdorp and its attractions such as SA's first stock exchange, and fellow national monuments such as the city museum and railway station.

• Matlosana Mall offers more entertainment in the area

Let's meet again soon for more KOSH stories, next time focus being on Orkney.