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Lephalale

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History
The name Ellisras origins from a combination of the surnames of Patric Ellis and Piet Erasmus who settled in the 1930's on the farm Waterkloof 502LQ. Since the opening of the main route between Vaalwater and Stockpoort during 1929 a railway bus stop developed on the farm. The central function of the newly established nodes became more evident and other facilities such as schools, churches and shops were established on the farm. Subdivision of the farm started and due to the specific locality of the river, all newly created portions have a river frontage which had a definite influence on the urban form/shape of Ellisras today.
In 1941, the Geological Survey Division of the then Department of Mining, launched an exploration programme. Iscor, the country largest steel producer, and also the biggest consumer of coking coal, actively partook in this programme. Drilling was completed in 1952. In 1957, Iscor obtained the surface rights to six farms, including Grootegeluk.
The first townships that were proclaimed in Ellisras were: Ellisras (Proper) - 7 December 1960 Ellisras Extension 1 - 5 May 1965 Ellisras Extension 2 - 3 November 1971
A major influence on the growth of the farm Waterkloof 502LQ was the decision of Iscor in 1973 to continue with the development of the Grootegeluk coal mine. Work commenced in December 1974 on building Grootegeluk Coal Mine and one year later in December 1975, the actual quarrying of the mine commenced. The mine was officially opened on 15 April 1981. On 3 March 1982 the mine was in full operation for the first time.
Since Iscor became part of Ellisras, Eskom also decided to extend its interest to Ellisras seeing that the steam coal produced is suitable for use in power stations and is used for the generation of steam. It happened by a decision by Eskom to build an air-cooled power station Matimba in close vicinity of the Iscor coal mine. Construction of the power station commenced in April 1981 and the first phase became operational shortly thereafter. Matimba was officially opened on 17 November 1989. Full municipal status was granted to Ellisras on 1 July 1986 by means of Administrator's notice 35 of 1986. The name of Ellisras town has been changed to Lephalale during 2002.
Geography
Lephalale, is situated between 2330' and 2400' south latitude and 2730' and 2800' east longitude and the town is positioned west of the Mokolo river, a tributary to the Limpopo river, 820 meters above sea level.
Economy
The Economy of Lephalale is dominated by mining, electricity production, tourism, and agriculture and game farming.
Mining
Lephalale is rich with coal which is mined by Exxaro at the Grootegeluk coal mine. The Grootegeluk coal mine is the largest open cast coal mine together with beneficiation plants of its kind in the world. It produces more than 17 million tones of coal product per year and the mine provides iron and ore industries with high grade metallurgical coal for iron and steel production. The low grade coal is supplied to Eskom's Matimba Power Station.
Electricity production
Electricity is produced by Eskom Matimba Power Station. Matimba, the Tsonga word for power, is designed to generate 4000MW and is the largest direct dry-cooled power station in the world. Coal is supplied to Matimba by means of a conveyor belt system from Grootegeluk mine. Eskom has commissioned the building of a new power station called Medupi. Medupi will have a capacity of between 4 200 MW and 4 500 MW by the time its last unit is commissioned in January 2015
Agriculture and game farming
Agricultural and Farming activities in Lephalale include: Animal Production: Cattle, Game (including rare species like roan, sable and buffalo), Goats and Ostriches. Plant Production: Vegetables, Cotton, Tobacco, citrus, Paprika, Peppers, Lucern, Groundnuts, Table Grapes, Dry Beans, Wheat, Maize, Cut flowers and Water Melons. Lephalale is annually the first to produce table grapes and water melons to the RSA market. Game farming has in recent years become a major economic activity, whilst cattle farming is declining to make way for game farming. The estimated number of game farms in Lephalale is 510.
Transportation
Public transport in Lephalale is provided by a number of taxi operators and two bus companies, Lowveld Bus Services and Phadziri Brothers. Lowveld Bus Services provides local and long distance services between Lephalale and surrounding villages. In addition it has a contract to provide services for the transportation of labourers to Grootegeluk and Matimba. Phadziri bus service also provides some services to Eskom.
Extensions
The town is divided into three major extensions: Lephalale, Onverwacht and Marapong.
Educational Institutions and Training Centres
Lephalale has a number of educational institutions which are:
Bosveld Primary School
Nelsonskop Primary School
Ellisras Primary School
Hoerskool Ellisras
Tielelo Secondary School
Phegelelo High School
King's College
Lephalale FET College
References
^ http://www.googlebattle.com/?domain=Ellisras&domain2=Lephalale&submit=Go%21
http://www.lephalale.com/?
http://www.countryroads.co.za/content/ellisras.html
http://www.lephalale.com/?item=40&MenuID=43
http://www.lephalale.com/?item=1559&MenuID=1179
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=110087
Coordinates: 2340 2745 / 23.667S 27.75E / -23.667; 27.75
Categories: Cities, towns and villages in Limpopo | Settlements established in 1960 | Mining communities in South Africa

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