Haenertsburg

Haenertsburg is a village situated on the edge of the Great Escarpment in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, on the R71 road between Polokwane (Pietersburg) and Tzaneen.

Farming and tourism are the main economic activities on "The Mountain" as it is called by the locals; Haenertsburg is in mountainous terrain. "Iron crown" is a well-known landmark.There are a number of organic farmers in the area, the most well known being Wegraakbosch Organic Dairy and Cheese farm, where cheese is made to the traditional standards and methods of the old Swiss style. Farm tours are taken daily.

Frequent mists and relatively high rainfall have created a lush vegetation with afromontane forest patches occupying the "kloofs" (gullies) which dot the rolling grasslands and surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, large areas of rare, and botanically very diverse, grassland (Woodbush Granite Grassland) have been planted to timber (primarily timber for pulping). These monoculture plantations extract a great deal of water and the resulting water shortages downstream (in the Kruger National Park and Mozambique) are cause for concern. A local group, FROHG (Friends of the Haenertsburg Grasslands) helps to conserve the indigenous flora and fauna.

The scenic beauty of the Haenertsburg area attracts many tourists. It is a favoured spot for cycling, biking and fishing. Sailing and other watersport take place on nearby Ebenezer Dam. The steepest mountain pass in South Africa, the Magoebaskloof pass, leads one down from the Highveld of the Haenertsburg area to the Lowveld adjoining the Kruger National Park, falling approzimately 600m in altitude in less than 7km travelled.

Haenertsburg is also famous for the annual Spring Fair where various crafts and flower displays are exhibited. July sees the advent of the Holistic Fair which displays the diverse creative talents of the Mountain folk. Every Friday and Saturday morning the Morning Market is run by the Duchess of Atholl.

The town was established in 1886 with the discovery of gold by Carl Ferdinand Haenert here.