Mahalapye: Diversity, Town History and the Railway

The History of Mahalapye

Among Mahalapye’s early permanent communities were Xhosa horse herders, Lozwi railway workers, Kalanga and Bangwato, as well as Herero refugees. The names of the town’s neighbourhoods continue to recall the diverse origins of its population. This brings two cultural and historical perspectives together: the makeup of the early communities and the way their origins are remembered in neighbourhood names. If you are interested in local cultural history, both details offer concrete starting points for getting to know Mahalapye through its different historical layers.

Another historical perspective is Mahalapye’s role as a transfer point between the southern railway line operated by South Africa and the northern line towards Zimbabwe. The different directions help put this former role in context: the South African-operated line lay to the south, while the northern line ran towards Zimbabwe. The railway’s history thus adds a transport perspective to the history of the communities.

Central District: Landscape and Cultural Heritage

In the wider destination of Central District, the focus shifts from Mahalapye’s town history to a distinct landscape: the Tswapong Hills Cultural Landscape. It comprises a mountain range about 70 km long and about 15 km wide, rising around 400 m above its surroundings. These approximate measurements indicate both the range’s extent and its height relative to the surrounding area, giving the landscape a tangible scale.

Deep gorges have formed in the Tswapong Hills. Natural freshwater springs feed streams; after heavier rainfall, waterfalls form and flow into lagoons. There are also seasonal rivers fed by natural springs. Streams also form waterfalls with deep, moss-lined pools. The landscape therefore encompasses different kinds of water features: seasonal rivers, rain-dependent waterfalls and pools in the gorges.

Moremi Gorge in the Tswapong Hills of Central District can be reached on foot via a steep ascent and is the source of three permanent waterfalls. The first two waterfalls form large waterholes. The uppermost waterfall is 10 metres high and plunges over rocky ledges into a densely vegetated lagoon. The waterfalls differ not only in their sequence but also in the landscape features they create. If you are considering visiting the gorge, the steep ascent is a practical detail about the terrain.

Moremi Gorge is of great religious and spiritual significance to the local community. The Department of National Museums and Monuments has declared it a National Monument. Alongside the waterfalls and gorge, cultural heritage is therefore also part of how this place in Central District can be understood.

As a courtesy, visitors are advised to ask the local Headman for permission before entering the Tswapong Hills. Confirm this recommendation locally before your visit.

Goo-Moremi Gorge lies at the northern end of the Tswapong Hills, next to Manonnye-Moremi Gorge. A report published in 2017 describes rock climbing at Goo-Moremi Gorge as a possibility. If you would like to plan this activity, confirm access arrangements in advance.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Mahalapye, you can focus on the town’s history. The Tswapong Hills and the Moremi gorges, by contrast, are among the nature and cultural heritage highlights of the wider Central District. If both interest you, plan for the town’s history and the regional perspective as separate focuses.

Discover more destinations: Letlhakane, Nata, Palapye, Selibe-Phikwe, Lentswelemoriti, Mathathane

Back to the regional travel overview: Central District.