About Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom, founded in 1838, is the oldest town in North West province and sits on the banks of the Mooi River, whose clear water made the area attractive to Voortrekker settlers. It is best known today as a university town, home to the Potchefstroom campus of North-West University, whose landmark Main Building dominates the skyline and whose student population shapes the town's character. The surrounding district is a major maize and sunflower farming area, tying the town firmly to North West's agricultural economy, while the Vaal River nearby is popular for canoeing and other watersports. Every year the town also hosts Aardklop, one of South Africa's biggest Afrikaans arts festivals, drawing performers and audiences from across the country.

Potchefstroom's spring opens with off-road sport, as Lekwena Wildlife Estate hosts the GAAN WILD MTB & TRAIL RUN. The same estate follows up with the Lekwena Full Moon Charity Event | 23 Oct 2026, while Sarafina Hall turns into a youth market for MSHAYA YOUTH HUSTLE MARKET. NWU Sanlam Auditorium stages a run of anniversary shows under Dekades op die lug! #Baillies60, and business travellers converge on Ikageng Stadium for the North West Business Summit and Expo 2026.