Bethal

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}}Template:Main other Bethal (Template:IPAc-en) is a farming town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The farms in the region produce maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye and potatoes. The town lies Template:Convert east of Johannesburg on the N17 national route.

History

The town originated on an old farm called Blesbokspruit.<ref name="On01">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp The town, established in on 12 October 1880,<ref>http://www.routes.co.za/mp/bethal/index.html Template:Webarchive</ref> was named after the combined names of the wives of the owners of the farm, Elizabeth du Plooy and Alida Naude.<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp It became a municipality in 1921.<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp

Economy

Agriculture

Bethal is famous for its potato industry,<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp and the annual National Potato Festival was held there in early May, but discontinued in 2007. Other agriculture includes maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye, oats and barley. Animal husbandry includes cattle, dairy and sheep farming.<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp Bethal was once the headquarters of AFGRI, an agricultural conglomerate, now based in Centurion but its flour mill remains in the town.<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp

Mining

Bethal lies in South Africa's coal mining region and there are mines close by. Exxaro acquired the Total Coal South Africa in 2014 and has five mines in the area.<ref name=On01/>Template:Rp Apart from exports, the coal is used in the Eskom power stations that dot the region.

Geography

The Olifants River has its origin near Bethal.<ref>Major rivers and streams within the Limpopo River Basin</ref> The river eventually flows into the Limpopo River in Mozambique.

Law and government

Bethal lies in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (formerly Highveld East Local Municipality) situated in the Gert Sibande District, of Mpumalanga.

Infrastructure

Roads

Bethal is the crossroads of three main roads. The R38 leads out north-east to Carolina and south-west to Standerton. The R35 leads north to Middleburg Template:Convert away while the R35 connects south to Amersfoort 80 km away. The N17 connects westwards to Johannesburg and eastwards to Ermelo and Eswatini.

Notable people

• Andries Coetzee – South Africa national rugby team player
• Llewellyn Herbert – 2000 Summer Olympics 400 metres hurdles bronze medal winner
• Basil Hirschowitz – gastroenterologist and inventor
• Qedani Mahlangu – Gauteng MEC for Health
• Busisiwe Mkhwebane – Public Protector of South Africa
• Josia Thugwane – 1996 Summer Olympics marathon gold medal winner. South Africa's first black athlete to win an Olympic gold medal
• Riaan Dempers - South African sprinter and former record holder in the 200 meters

External links

• Bethal business & service listings
• Bethal information site