Lephalale

History

Late Iron Age cattle posts belonging to the Letsibogo ceramic facies have been found in the area. Some rock engravings at Nelsonkop have been recorded. The name Ellisras originates from a combination of the surnames of Patric Ellis and Piet Erasmus who settled in the 1930s 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's largest steel producer, and also the biggest consumer of coking coal, actively participated 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 the mine and one year later in December 1975, the actual quarrying of the mine commenced. Grootegeluk mine was officially opened on 15 April 1981. On 3 March 1982 this mine was in full operation for the first time. Mokolo Dam (previously known as the Hans Strijdom Dam) was constructed…

Geography

Lephalale is situated between 23°30' and 24°00' south latitude and 27°30' and 28°00' east longitude and the town is positioned west of the Mokolo river, a tributary to the Limpopo river, 820 meters above sea level.

Most-observed species

• Laughing Dove

  Spilopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  98
• Southern Cordonbleu

  Uraeginthus angolensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  91
• Fork-tailed Drongo

  Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein, 1794) · Aves
  90
• Cape Starling

  Lamprotornis nitens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  88
• Gray Go-away-bird

  Corythaixoides concolor (A.Smith, 1833) · Aves
  87
• Ring-necked Dove

  Streptopelia capicola (Sundevall, 1857) · Aves
  85
• Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

  Tockus leucomelas (M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1842) · Aves
  82
• Blacksmith Lapwing

  Vanellus armatus (Burchell, 1822) · Aves
  80