De Wildt | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 25°37′30″S 27°56′49″E / 25.62500°S 27.94694°E | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | North West |
District | Bojanala |
Municipality | Madibeng |
Area | |
• Total | 0.98 km2 (0.38 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 3,492 |
• Density | 3,600/km2 (9,200/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
PO box | 0251 |
Area code | 012 |
De Wildt is a town with a railway station, police station and post office in North West province of South Africa, 40 km west-north-west of Pretoria.
It was named after the Dutch engineer Mauritz Edgar de Wildt (1855–1907),[2] who in 1905 surveyed the railway-line between Pretoria and Rustenburg.[3]: 315 The town is famous for a speech delivered on 7 December 1912 by General J. B. M. Hertzog which ultimately led to the establishment of the National Party.[4]
Nearby is the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre also known as the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. Formed in 1971, the centre breeds cheetah and wild dogs.[3]: 315