#South

Описание: The Story of Rooiberg

Rooiberg is a small town in Limpopo, with a history tied to tin mining. The mine shaped the town’s economy and daily life for most of its existence. When the mine closed in 1994, many residents left, and the town’s future was uncertain. Those who stayed found ways to adapt, keeping the town alive.

Originally, Rooiberg was a company town. The mining company controlled housing, schools, and other services. Tin mining provided work for most of the population, but fluctuating global tin prices eventually made operations unsustainable.

After the closure, many families moved away. The town became quieter, but a core group of residents remained. During this period, ex-members of Koevoet, a counterinsurgency unit from South Africa’s border conflicts, settled in the area. The town became home to new residents, including families like mine.

For children growing up there, the town offered a unique landscape and plenty of space to explore. Over time, some buildings were repurposed, including the mining hostel, which became a retirement home. Small scale tourism and private game farms created new opportunities for the town.

Rooiberg remains small but demonstrates how communities can adapt and survive after major changes. For those who lived there, it holds lasting memories.