Belfast, Mpumalanga, South Africa
S 25° 41.758 E 030° 02.586
36J E 203240 N 7154662
Belfast was the location of several battles and skirmishes during the Anglo-Boer War. It is the location of the largest bluegum plantation and ships millions of tulip bulbs each year.
Waymark Code: WMJAFG
Location: Mpumalanga, South Africa
Date Posted: 10/19/2013
Views: 5
BELFAST (also known as eMakhazeni since 2009) is a small town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, with a population of about 4,500 (as of 2011). It is known for excellent conditions for trout fishing and is an agricultural production community where potatoes, maize, timber and a large production of tulip bulbs (they ship about 6 million bulbs annually). Cattle, dairies and sheep dot the hillsides. The oldest bluegum tree plantation in South Africa is located in Belfast. Coal and black granite are mined in the area surrounding Belfast. This town sits in one of the coldest areas of South Africa.
The community was named to honor Richard Charles O'Neil who was from a town also called Belfast, in Northern Ireland. O'Neil owned the farm where the town now stands.
During the Anglo-Boer War, eMakhazeni (Belfast) experienced several skirmishes and battles, and this is the location of a British concentration camp during the Boer War.
In October 2009, Arts and Culture Minister, Lulu Xingwanathe allowed 42 towns to adopt new names and Belfast adopted the additional name of eMakhazeni. The town still displays the title of Belfast on the signs at the edge of town.
The town is a featured location on the byway called "Highland Meander".
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