Welverdiend (E 9)

Name: Welverdiend

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?location=Gatsrand, between Welverdiend and Frederikstad


Source: http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol101ev.html

Toe dit geblyk het dat 'n verlore stryd gevoer is tydens vele onderhandelinge met die Britse regering en spanning geheers het oor die belastingkwessie het 'n volksvergadering op 8 Desember 1880 te Paardekraal besluit om die ZAR se verlore onafhanklikheid te herstel.(7)

Assistent-kommandant-generaal P Cronjé het opdrag van generaal P Joubert gekry om met 'n patrollie van 400 man vanaf Paardekraal na Potchefstroom te vertrek en die vryheidsproklamasie by J P Borrius te laat druk. Die drukkery moes terselfdertyd teen 'n moontlike Britse aanval beskerm word. Cronjé het Potchefstroom met die poskoetspad vanaf Gatsrand genader. Van die Gatsranders onder leiding van assistent-veldkornet P Martins het die patrollie meegemaak asook Gatsrand se veldkornet, A J O Oosthuizen, wat as kommandant die wyke Gatsrand en Vaalrivier verteenwoordig het.(8)



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Wellington (C 16)

Name: Wellington

Source: http://www.wellington.co.za/
Nestling at the foot of the Groenberg, the historic town of Wellington lies in a picturesque valley on the banks of the Kromme River with the majestic Hawequa Mountains standing guard on its eastern border. Wellington, in the heart of the Boland and rich in cultural, religious and educational history, is an unsurpassed area to enjoy the Winelands and scenery of the Western Cape in South Africa.

Wellington, quite accessible to Cape Town International Airport, is conveniently central to many places of interest across all points of the compass. There are five dramatic and scenic mountain passes nearby. All the Cape's various wine and brandy routes, not to mention the fruit routes, are an easy day trip. Spring sees the grand displays of wild flowers of the Cape West Coast, a pleasant few hours journey by car. The sophisticated delights of Cape Town City, and the sunny golden beaches of the Cape Peninsula as well as the whales of False Bay are within an hour's reach. Historic Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Tulbagh and Paarl are neighbouring towns, each full of attractions of their own.

Wellington offers a mix of fabulous shopping treats to tourists. The town is well equipped with all medical and emergency services and branches of all the main banks in South Africa. Wellington boasts two leather factories producing beautiful and quality leather products such as shoes, handbags, book covers and other smaller articles. Furthermore there are towel factory shops, fruit juice kiosks selling to the public, glassware gift shops and many other places to browse around in addition to the more prominent chain stores. Art galleries, antique furniture, ceramic tiles and Bali furniture rounds off a true shopping experience.


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Welkom (E 8)

Name: Welkom

Source: Wikipedia

Welkom is a city in the Free State province of South Africa, with a population in 2001 of 408,173. It is 160 kilometres northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital.

The city 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 city 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 city is internationally known for the Grand Prix racing circuit located at its edge.

The city is named after the farm Welkom where gold was first found. The word welkom is Afrikaans and Dutch for welcome. It is now the second largest city in the Free State.


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Welgelee (E 11)

Name: Welgelee

http://sa-railnews.blogspot.com/2010/07/sightings_11.html

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Welgedag (H 9)

Name: Welgedag

Welgedag, Springs

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Wattles (G 9)

Name: Wattles

Wadeville Railway Station (1km)
Union Railway Station (2km)
Dallas Railway Station (2km)
Elsburg Railway Station (3km)
Webber Railway Station (3km)
Parkhill Gardens Railway Station (3km)
Germiston Lake Railway Station (3km)
Rooikop Railway Station (3km)
Alberton Railway Station (4km)
Germiston South Railway Station (4km)

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Waterval Boven (J 8)

Name: Waterval Boven

Source: http://www.linx.co.za/waterval-boven/

The village of Waterval Boven is nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains on the fringe of the escarpment, at the foot of the southern hills. It is rich with historical sites and buildings, which belonged to the old NZASM and are now proclaimed national monuments.

There is also the old ZASM Tunnel and Five Arch Bridge, as well as President Paul Kruger's official residence where he resided in 1900 before going into exile in Europe. The Elands River Waterfall is visible from the mouth of the old Railway Tunnel.



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Waterpoort (H 5)

Name: Waterpoort

Waterpoort is in Limpopo

Location of Waterpoort(Latitude: 22° 53' 60 S, Longitude: 29° 37' 0)




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Waterpoort property for sale

Property Price: R50,000,000
Farm / Smallholding in Waterpoort: Die jagplaas is ongeveer 4200 Ha groot.Gelee 5 km vanaf Waterpoort in die Soutpansberge.Pragtige natuurskoon met 4-5 km rivierfront(Sandrivier). Dit word gebruik as 'n jagplaas en is elke jaar vol bespreek.
Behuising: 9 slaapkamer huis, 3 slaapkamer huis met aparte grasdak rondawel, Dubbel verdieping, 2 slaapkamer houthuis byrivie, 2 slaapkamer huis bo op berg.
Jagkamp bestaan uit:
3 slaapkamer huis, 2 grasdak rondawels, Lapa.
Wild wat voorkom is: Kudu, Eland, Impala, Gemsbuck, Njala, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Baboon, Mountain Reedbuck, Klipspringer, steenbuck, Duiker, Leopard, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Zebra, Sharp's grrybok, Warthog, ongeveer 200 spesies voels waaronder die kuifkop tarentaal. onegveer 200 - 300 boom spesies. Baie Kremetarte. 2de grootste Kremetart in SA op plaas, 39 m in omtrek. Lapa van jagkamp onder hierdie boom. Goeie en sterk water en rivier wat deur die jaar loop. By prys ingesluit:1 Trekker, 2 Trailors 3 Land Cruiser jag voertuie.



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Wasbank (J 11)

Name: Wasbank

Longgrass Lodge 17km* from Wasbank
Within a Big 5 Game Reserve, in a Malaria-free area; located in the heart of the wild,the halfway stop between Johannesburg(3.5hours) and Durban

Royal Country Inn
20km* from Wasbank
The Royal Country Inn in Dundee combines the benefits of modern accommodation with an old-world charm. Situated in the heart of the battlefields,

Penny Farthing Country House
27km* from Wasbank
Three Star Graded and AA Highly Recommended Guest House on a Tranquil Game and Beef farm in close proximity of most Battlefields.

Woodlands Lodge
27km* from Wasbank
Within a Big 5 Game Reserve, in a Malaria-free area; located in the heart of the wild, the halfway stop between Johannesburg (3.5hours) and Durban


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Wartburg (L 12)

Name:Wartburg

Source:http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionskzn/wartburg.php

This little piece of Germany is surrounded by hamlets of definitive origin: Harburg, New Hanover, Kirchdorf, Lillienthal, Schroeders and Hermannsburg. Wartburg itself is named after the castle in Eisenach where Martin Luther translated the bible into German and the village crest also depicts the immigrants' arrival by sailing ship, the Luther Rose and the call to 'pray and work'.

Wartburg is located right in the centre of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. Settled in the 1850s by German families, today the local industry is mainly mealies (maize), sugar cane, timber and kiwi fruit although there is an increasing arts and crafts community. Many of the inhabitants of Wartburg are now fourth generation Germans and it is not unusual to hear German spoken around Town.


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Warrenton (D 10)

Name: Warrenton

Warrenton, a town in the Northern Cape, South Africa. Routes: N12, R49.


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Warner Beach (L 14)

Name: Warner Beach

2 Apr 2010 ... Two people were found dead this afternoon on Warner Beach, Amanzimtoti.

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Warmbad (H 6)

Name: Warmbad

Bela Bela, a Northern Sotho name meaning "Boiling-Boiling", which is synonymous with the town's world-renowned hot water springs was discovered by the Tswana's in the 1800's. Hot water bubbling out of the earth at approximately 22 000 liter per hour with a temperature of 53°C and the close proximity to Gauteng make this destination even more popular. The area has pleasantly mild climate during the winter months with an average of 286 sunny days every year add to the popularity of this destination. Our temperature in summer range between 15,7°C - 29°C and winter from 6,7°C - 24°C. Our resorts offer excellent accommodation, sport & recreation, conferencing, Big Five, hiking, game drives, quad bikes and much much more.

Pop over to Bela Bela where the natural hot springs in town - rich in limestone minerals, attracts thousands of visitors who come to the town to enjoy the healing qualities of the waters for which the local resort is famous. The many game farms offer a wide range of activities from night drives, game walks and testing hiking trails. Golfing and adventure sports centres have also been established here for the adventure enthusiast.

On Gauteng's doorstep, only 100kms North of Pretoria, you will find the holiday of a lifetime! You will be pampered and restored at any of our numerous lodges! Holidays come alive in Bela Bela – fun in the sun in the water and in the bush, with many lovely restaurants and lots of accommodation, plus a low crime rate.



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Warden (H 11)

Name: Warden

Source: Wikipedia

Warden is a town situated in the Free State province of South Africa on the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban. The town has one of the largest Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa, with seating for 1,750. It was named after the former Harrismith magistrate Charles Warden.

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Walvis Bay (A 6)

Name: Walvis Bay

Source: Wikipedia

Walvis Bay (Afrikaans Walvisbaai, German Walfischbucht or Walfischbai, all meaning "Whale Bay"), is a city in Namibia and the name of the bay on which it lies.

The bay has been a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit, being the only natural harbour of any size along the country's coast. Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters also drew large numbers of whales attracting whalers and fishing vessels. The Dutch referred to it as Walvisch Baye and the English as Whale Bay, and in its eventual proclamation it came to be called Walfish Bay, and eventually Walvis Bay. It has also been referred to as Walwich Bay[2] or Walwisch Bay.[3]

A succession of colonists developed the location and resources of this strategic harbour settlement. The harbour's value in relation to the sea route around the Cape of Good Hope had caught the attention of world powers since it was discovered. This explains the complicated political status of Walvis Bay down the years.

The town is situated in the Kuiseb river delta and lies at the end of the TransNamib Railway to Windhoek, and on the B2 road.

Walvis Bay, with its large bay and sand dunes, is the tourism activity centre of Namibia. Other attractions include the artificial Bird Island, centre of a guano collection industry, the Dune 7 sand dune, salt works, birdlife and a museum


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Waltloo (G 8)

Name: Waltloo

Angry commuters at the Waltloo railway station near Mamelodi are suspected of setting two Metroraiiië coaches alight after a delay caused by a storm. ...

www.dlgh.gpg.gov.za/.../30%20sept%202009%20Fierce%20storm%20leaves%20trail%20of%20da...


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Wakkerstroom (J 10)

Name: Wakkerstroom


Main Source: http://www.wakkerstroom.co.za/
GPS co-ordinates: S 27° 21.337 E 030° 08.444

PLEASE NOTE: If you are travelling from either Johannesburg or Pretoria, please set your GPS to shortest route rather than fastest/quickest route as it tends to direct via major highways and can add as much as 2 hours to your journey! Happy travelling!

Not long after the War of Independence the railway line from Durban to the
Witwatersrand was under construction. It was planned to go through
Wakkerstroom, but a petition protesting against this was drawn up by the
inhabitants of the town.
The ostensible reason for the protest was that the noise from the steam
engines would frighten their cattle and hens and cause them to stop giving
milk and eggs. The soot from the engines, it was maintained, would also
blemish the skins of their wives and daughters. The real reason which no-one
cared to admit to was more likely that the town’s economy depended heavily
on the transport riders and the wagon trains passing through town. Rail
transport was seen as an unwelcome competitor to this.
The outcome of this was that the line was diverted and the present-day town
of Volksrust was established as a border town in 1887. When the town
fathers realised the magnitude of their mistake they tried to get the line rerouted,
but it was too late. As a consolation prize a branch line was
constructed from Volksrust via Wakkerstroom and Amersfoort to Bethal. Even
here the townsfolk would not allow the line to be built closer than two miles to
the town. Today the line has fallen into virtual disuse and the station,
downgraded to a siding in the early 1990s, is know a restaurant and caravan
park.
This was the first of a series of events that contributed to the downturn in the
economic fortunes of Wakkerstroom that were to deteriorate continually for
the next 100 years
The Anglo-Boer South African War (1899-1902)
The Boer forces under Commandant-General Piet Joubert gathered on the
banks of the Sand River at Dassieklip - the farm where the young Tom
Vinnicombe had stayed some 40 years earlier - before invading Natal.
After the initial Boer victories General Sir Redvers Buller led a British force
into the Transvaal and defeated a Boer force at the Battle of Allemansnek.
After this battle the Boers, fearing that they would be surrounded, retreated
from Laingsnek. Buller occupied both Volksrust and Charlestown.
Wakkerstroom itself was not occupied at this stage of the war, although
Ossewakop, known at the time as Voortrekkerkop, was occupied by General
N. G. Lyttleton and the South Staffordshire Regiment. This may have been
because Buller had a soft spot for the Wakkerstroom people who had raised a
Commando to help the British in the Anglo-Zulu war.
In an effort to restrict the movements and contain the Boers forces during the
guerrilla phase of the war the British established several strategically situated
lines of blockhouses. These blockhouses were of three basic types :
stone structures which were single-, double- or multi-storeyed;
structures with stone bases with corrugated iron upper parts - the so-called
Sangar type; and
wholly corrugated iron structures known as Rice type blockhouses.
More than 9 000 blockhouses connected with over 8 000 km of barbed wire or
entanglements were constructed throughout South Africa. More than 130 of
these were located between Volksrust and the Swaziland border near Piet
Retief. These blockhouses were of the Sangar and Rice types.


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Wadeville (G 10)

Name: Wadeville (G 10)

Wadeville: a suburb of Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa
The Wadeville Alrode Industrial Corridor project is aimed at creating an integrated platform for the expansion of the tradable goods sector and supporting exports, especially into sub-Saharan Africa.

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Vryheid (J 11)

Name: Vryheid

After British and Boer mercenaries had helped Dinuzulu defeat his rival Usibepu for succession of the Zulu throne, land and farming rights were granted to them along the banks of the Mfolozi River. On August 5, 1884 the mercenaries formed the Nieuwe Republiek (New Republic) with Vryheid as its capital. It was later incorporated into the South African Republic, but at the end of the Second Boer War the town and its surrounding area was absorbed into Natal. Vryheid is located along the Spoornet Coaline

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Vryburg (C 9)

Name: Vryburg

Source: http://www.vryburg.com/home.aspx


Vryburg lies in a rich cattle-farming area. The town has an interesting history. When the Republic of Stellaland was proclaimed in 1882, Vryburg was established as its capital. The Republic had its own postal service including a postage stamp series and a magnificent flag. Their freedom however, was short-lived. In the same year President Kruger annexed the state under the Transvaal government. This move in turn displeased the British and in 1885 the territory was annexed to Britain without any resistance.

Vryburg hosts one of the largest cattle sales in the Southern hemisphere with an enormous turnover of more than 250 000 head of cattle per year. It is this, along with its perceived image of being a frontier town that has given it the nickname “Texas of South Africa”

The town today is a thriving industrial and agricultural hub, which radiates an atmosphere of prosperity. Its modern architecture blends naturally with its surroundings and the well-preserved old buildings are carefully maintained.



Vryburg has a strong sense of history, one which its citizens nurture with pride. The name Vryburg comes from the period in the 1882 when Vryburg was established as the capital of Stellaland. The Republicans called themselves Vryburgers (free Citizens), hence the name of the town.



Vryburg is born on September 20, 1882, a site for a township was selected and named Endvogelfontein. On November 15 the same year, the name was changed to Vryburg. In December that year, newly laid out plots were apportioned to the volunteers by means of a lottery and by February 1883 some 400 farms had been established.

On August 16, 1883, Administrator Van Niekerk proclaimed the Republic of Stellaland with Vryburg as capital and himself as President. Stellaland spilt into two rival factions – those who supported annexation into the Cape colony as mooted by Cecil Rhodes, and those who preferred independence.

In February 1884, the London Convention was signed, making Stellaland a British protectorate, with the Reverend John McKensie appointed Commissioner to British Bechuanaland. Vryburg today is the industrial and agricultural capital of the Bophirima (Western) region.

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