Bethal, Cosmos Country

Bethal derives its name of parts of the names of Elizabeth du Plooy and Alida Naude, who were sisters and the wives of the owners of the farm on which the town was proclaimed. It is situated in the Cosmos Country of the Mpumalanga Province and is a beautiful farming community.

Bethal was proclaimed a town in 1880 on a portion of the farm Blesbokspruit. Today, Bethal mainly farms maize, potatoes as well as sunflowers. The fields of bright yellow sunflowers are truly a spectacular sight to see. Bethal is the headquarters for the Eastern Transvaal Agricultural Co-Op, as well as the Transvaal Potato Co-op. In fact, it is famous for its former potato industry, and the annual National Potato Festival is still held there in early May. Hundreds of visitors travel from all over South Africa to attend this delightful event. This is where talent of different diverse cultures is showcased and promoted.

Bethal is also a mining community. It contains 20 coal mines and 3 gold mines which are always exciting to experience and tour. When visiting this lovely area, do not miss the Bethal Museum. This interesting museum is situated in the old magistrates office which has been beautifully restored to its original 1910 state, and has been declared a national monument. In addition, one should visit the Memorial Square where Boer soldiers, killed in a nearby battle, are buried.

Because Bethal is predominantly a farming community, one should go on an Agricultural Tour. This fascinating tour affords visitors the opportunity to visit the Rusticana Holstein Dairy Farm that can be found in Bethal. Here, an unbelievable feat is achieved: in 6 minutes, 26 cows are milked! Feast on delicious locally grown goodies and enjoy the serene nature of this beautiful area. Bethal boasts a ‘back in the day’ feel with its rich cultural heritage and interesting monuments. It is a lovely little town and a must to experience.