2006-07-11 22:45:33 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ South Africa
Really appreciate the cut and paste stuff, but what I'm really looking for is personal experience of the place. I have to commit to a 2 year haul due to commitments. No choice I'm afraid.
2006-07-11 22:55:34 · update #1
I've been there a few times - it's a town with the mind of a village. The facilities are good. The pubs are cheap and the place is convenient for everything except getting to the coast. The drink of choice is spook and diesel (rum and coke). Choose your local pub carefully - some of the pubs have miner brawls every shift change.
Most of the locals are friendly. There are different social circles that don't mix, so you need to decide are you a breeker or a larny (punk or sophisticate).
If you can discuss hot rodding a car, nitrous mixtures, chamfering cylinders and skimming heads you will be a social success. If you can recite all Valentino Rossi's races in detail you will be a social star.
The most exciting thing that has happened in Welkom, was a tornado in 1990 that wiped out 1000s of houses. It was a conservative town in the bad old days and was the last town to allow sport to be played on Sundays.
Crime is a problem so ensure that an armed response company comes with your accommodation.
2006-07-14 05:47:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I've been to Welkom! Its wonderful there. They have a Gold Museum there because apparently Welkom is known for their Gold Mining. They even let you go for a tour in the mine!
I have heard of the Phakisa Raceway, apparently that is great fun! I havent been there though.
Welkom can get a bit boring - well to me but i enjoyed it there still!
2006-07-11 23:34:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Johannesburg is the next largest town in Africa, with an increase of than 3 million people contacting this vibrant town home and if you want to visit that remarkable city then that hotelbye is the place to start. Johannesburg offers readers an experience as distinctive and diverse as the town itself. If you are on business, searching for a social experience, an adrenaline hurry or just wish to flake out and rest for some times, the town of Johannesburg has everything you're trying to find and more! In Johannesburg you are able to visit the Soweto (an abbreviation for South-western Townships) at 20 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg. That place presents guests a trip to the heart of the battle for freedom and the birthplace of the struggle for democracy.
2016-12-20 16:32:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh My God! Have you visited there? I seriously suggest you spend a little time soaking up the ambience before committing to a 2 year haul. Seriously, who ever goes to Welkom? Can't you change that to Durban or Cape Town if you have to go to SA?
2006-07-11 22:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by Charmaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welkom
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Welkom is a city in central South Africa, in the northwestern part of Free State Province, with a population in 2001 of 191,336. It is 160 kilometres northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital. The town is the hub of the Free State gold fields, serving several gold and uranium mines. In addition to mineral ore, Welkom produces such goods as steel, lumber, and beef. The town has a technical college and a technological institute. Welkom is served by a small airport and a branch of the main railway between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The town is internationally known for the Grand Prix racing circuit located at it's edge.
The town is named after the farm Welkom where gold was first found. The word welkom is Dutch for welcome. It is now the second largest city in the Free State Province.
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History
Welkom was founded in 1947 following a major gold discovery in 1946. It was planned as a model town, with a horseshoe-shaped shopping and administrative district surrounding a park of 45,000 square metres (11 acres). More than 1 million trees were planted in the town. Welkom received municipal status in 1961 and was declared a city in 1968. Limited desegregation has occurred since the repeal of apartheid laws in South Africa in the early 1990s, but the vast majority of blacks continue to live in the adjacent township of Thabong. Currently the whole of Welkom is dominated by residents from all over Africa because of the job opportunities that arise in the mining industry.It is a small city right in the centre of South Africa surrounded by neighbouring towns like Odendaalsrus, Kroonstad, Virginia and Hennemann.
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External links
Phakisa Freeway Story about the world-standard motorsport venue in Welkom by Roderick Eime
Oppenheimer golf course, designed by Robert Grimsdell in 1949.
Pictures and history of gold exploration in Welkom
Online Business Directory for Welkom - Accommodation, Services etc
This South Africa location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Welkom
Welkom, Free State, South Africa
Welkom is South Africa's youngest city established around the gold mining industry.
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Welkom is South Africa's youngest town and has been the centre of the gold fields since 1947. The town sprung up after gold was discovered on a farm called St Helena.
Welkom has grown perhaps with a faster rate as Johannesburg, yet is proud of the fact that its traffic system of traffic circles were so well designed that they still have only a few traffic lights. It is in the Free State the second largest town and the core of the relatively recent geologic windfall of the Free State.
Places of interest unclude:
Arts & Crafts
The work of the handycapped residents of the Ernest Oppenheimer Hospital is on show.
Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre
The town's best thespians and ballet dancers grace this modern complex. Named after the businessman who planned the layout of Welkom.
Flamingo Pan
Welkom's flamingoes inhabit this scenic recreation area.
Gold Museum
A complete history of gold and its mining and production is on display in the library.
Mine Tours
Some of the deepest and riches mines can be visited.
Monuments
Welkom has many monuments including, Aandek Monument, Afrikaans Language Monument, Joanne Pim Monument, WWII Monument, Voortrekker Memorial, Dog Monument, Old Indaba bleugum tree and MOTH Memorial.
Museum of Welkom
This public library houses display the discovery of gold in Welkom, town's history and bird and animal life indigenous to this region.
North Park Fleamarket
Haggle for a bargain every second Saturday of each month.
Parks
Parks to visit in Welkom is Central Park, Peter Pan Park, Van Riebeeck Park and West Park.
Phakisa Raceway
South Africa's newest racetrack. It consist of both a high speed oval and a well designed conventional track.
Rovers Club
A municipal sports centre offering rugby,soccer, netball, tennis, hockey, cricket, bowling and snooker facilities.
Theronia Pan
A tranquil pan and bird sanctuary
2006-07-11 22:52:39 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So sorry grahammill, but I can't remember a thing from my visit there 10 years ago. Which means it must have been pretty dull. I do hope you find something to do there. And if you don't, you can always drive to another town or city. This is the one good thing about South Africa...there's always something to see or do or go. Doesn't matter if you remember it or not.
2006-07-12 04:00:33 · answer #6 · answered by Porgie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is not much to do in Welkom - it depends what type of person you are, it is a small dull place.
2006-07-11 23:45:44 · answer #7 · answered by jaygirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i have been there several times. My cousin lives there. It is a small town in the middle of nowhere. It has everything you need. There is a big shopping centre. There are restaurants etc. No clubs i dont think.
Very hot in summer and freezing in winter. Not sure about the crime. My cousin's car was hijacked and they took her bag. She was not harmed.
They seem happy there though. It is about 2 hours from Bloem.
2006-07-12 02:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by MissBehave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's da bomb. I lived there four 10 years. People there are externally nice. You do have to be careful but that at anyplace you go. Don't be afraid Africa's the best. If you have any questions email me at foxyhobo87@yahoo.com I'd be more then happy to answer them.
2006-07-12 06:11:44 · answer #9 · answered by ....... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
half of rsa is rich and the other half of rsa is poor
which half is welkom in?
2006-07-11 22:50:34 · answer #10 · answered by motown 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋