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.

History of Bitterfontein

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.

This small town is at the railhead of a line from Cape Town used to transport copper ore from mines in Okiep. Bitterfontein still attracts train and railway enthusiasts. 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.

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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Useful Numbers

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
• 24hour 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