Bitterfontein

• • Province: Western Cape
  • West Coast
  • Coordinates:31°02′10″S 18°15′58″E
  • Area: 39.90 km2
  • Municipality: Matzikama

Bitterfontein is a small village in the Knersvlakte region of the Western Cape, about 320–380 km north of Cape Town along the N7 national road. It forms part of the Matzikama Local Municipality and is located on the fringe of Namaqualand’s arid plains. Bitterfontein lies in the Matzikama Local Municipality of the Northern Western Cape and is near the small villages of Nuwerus and Rietpoort.
Jump to: History of Bitterfontein |Things to See and Do in Bitterfontein | Useful Numbers in Bitterfontein

History of Bitterfontein

Bitterfontein lies at the northern railhead of the line from Cape Town, historically used to transport copper ore from the mines of Okiep and Nababeep, as well as granite from nearby quarries. The town sits within the arid Succulent Karoo, surrounded by a dry, sparsely vegetated landscape.

The name Bitterfontein comes from the saline, bitter-tasting spring around which the settlement developed. This spring was noted as early as 1685, when Simon van der Stel camped here during his expedition to find the copper mountains of Namaqualand. The French naturalist François Le Vaillant also stopped here in 1783.

The railway reached Bitterfontein in 1927, establishing it as an important transport hub. For many years, all copper from Namaqualand, along with granite blocks, exported to countries including Italy, the United States, and Japan, passed through this railhead. Fuel supplies for the region were also distributed from here.

Despite its importance, fresh water remained a challenge. Drinking water was transported from the Olifants River until 1989, when a desalination plant was commissioned. This plant, supplied by multiple boreholes, was the first in South Africa to desalinate groundwater using reverse osmosis.

Local crime story

In 1931, just a few years after the railway line reached the area, there was a famous diamond heist where the entire month’s production from Kleinzee was stolen from the postmaster’s office, where it was awaiting transportation to Cape Town. The crime was never solved.

The postcode for Bitterfontein is 8200 (Boxes only)

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local WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Bitterfontein

Things to See and Do in Bitterfontein

• The original saline spring lies southwest of the town, now partly overgrown with reeds
• A granite mine about 8 km north produces the distinctive “Bitterfontein green” stone
• The desalination plant remains a key feature of the town’s infrastructure
• Meerhofkasteel, about 17 km southeast of the town, is a large cave named after Pieter van Meerhof the Danish explorer, in 1662. It was used for accommodation by early travellers, including Simon van der Stel
• Remains of Boer War entrenchments can still be seen in the surrounding hills

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Useful Numbers in Bitterfontein

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

• Emergency Services

• Police: 027 643 2011
• Fire: Vredendal-(027) 213-1379
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital; Satellite clinic 027 642 7000 027

• Municipal & Utilities

• Water: 027 201 3404/3401
• Electricity: 082 323 7464
• Municipality; Vredendal-027 201 3300

• Transport & Roads

• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774
• 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777. 
• SPCA: Matzikama Dierebeskerming-027 213 4182

• Local Contacts and Community Resources

• Post office: 027 642 7411 Post agency
• Library: 027 642 701

• Schools in Bitterfontein

• Bitterfontein Primary School-027 642 7154

Other towns in the Matzikama district include  Doringbaai, Ebenhaeser, Klawer, Lutzville, Koekenaap, Strandfontein, Van Rhynsdorp and Vredendal