History of 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. The village lies at the northern railhead of the railway from Cape Town, historically used to transport copper ore and granite, and is surrounded by dry landscape characteristic of the Succulent Karoo biome. Bitterfontein lies in the Matzikama Local Municipality of the Northern Western Cape and is near the small villages of Nuwerus and Rietpoort. Other towns in the Matzikama district include  Doringbaai, Ebenhaeser, Klawer, Lutzville, Koekenaap, Strandfontein, Van Rhynsdorp and Vredendal

This small town is at the railhead of a line from Cape Town used to transport copper ore from mines in Okiep. It got its name from the bitter, brackish water from the spring in town. Today, the town’s water comes from a desalination plant that treats the water using reverse osmosis. 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)

local WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Bitterfontein

Useful Numbers

• Police: 027 643 2011
• Municipality; Vredendal-027 201 3300
• Traffic department:
• Fire: Vredendal-(027) 213-1379
• Water: 027 201 3404/3401
• Electricity: 082 323 7464
• Ambulance: 10177
• Post office; 027 642 7411 Post agency
• Library: 027 642 7017
• Closest hospital; Satellite clinic 027 642 7000 027
• Pharmacy;
• SPCA: Matzikama Dierebeskerming-027 213 4182
• Schools: Bitterfontein Primary School-027 642 7154