Mokhotlong: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Mokhotlong-Centre-and-Airport-2009.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Mokhotlong centre and airport]] |
[[File:Mokhotlong-Centre-and-Airport-2009.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Mokhotlong centre and airport]] |
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[[File:LS-Mokhotlong.png|thumb|right|250px|Location of Mokhotlong in Lesotho]] |
[[File:LS-Mokhotlong.png|thumb|right|250px|Location of Mokhotlong in Lesotho]] |
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'''Mokhotlong''' is a [[Constituencies of Lesotho|constituency]], city and seat of [[Mokhotlong District]] in the mountainous northeastern part of [[Lesotho]]. It is the first major city with an airport along the road from South Africa across the [[Sani Pass]], near the Maloti ([[Drakensberg]] in [[South Africa]]) Mountains. The name of the city is a word in [[Sesotho]], the language of the people of Lesotho, meaning "Place of the Bald Ibis." [[Thabana Ntlenyana]], the highest point in southern Africa, is found in Mokhotlong. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Mokhotlong's role as a police post first brought people to this part of Lesotho in 1905. It developed into a trading center for the people of the Highlands region. However, it was preserved from major development by its separation from the rest of the country. Not until 1947 was radio contact established with [[Maseru]], the capital city. |
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In the next few years an air strip was built and a road cleared through town to link Mokhotlong to the rest of Lesotho. Even so, Mokhotlong continued to be outfitted with provisions and supplies by pony trek from [[Natal, South Africa]], via Sani Pass.<ref name="The Rough Guide South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland">{{cite book|last=McCrea, Mthembu-Salter, Pinchuck, Reid|title=South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland: The Rough Guide|year=1999|publisher=Penguin Books Ltd.|location=London|isbn= |
In the next few years an air strip was built and a road cleared through town to link Mokhotlong to the rest of Lesotho. Even so, Mokhotlong continued to be outfitted with provisions and supplies by pony trek from [[Natal Province|Natal, South Africa]], via Sani Pass.<ref name="The Rough Guide South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland">{{cite book|last=McCrea, Mthembu-Salter, Pinchuck, Reid|title=South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland: The Rough Guide|year=1999|publisher=Penguin Books Ltd.|location=London|isbn=1-85828-460-0|pages=644–646}}</ref> |
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== Geography == |
== Geography and climate== |
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An hour and a half drive north of Sani Pass, Mokhotlong is located 270 km from Maseru and 200 km from |
An hour and a half drive north of Sani Pass, Mokhotlong is located 270 km from Maseru and 200 km from |
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[[Butha-Buthe]]. The source of the [[Senqu River]], |
[[Butha-Buthe]]. The source of the [[Senqu River]], Lesotho's largest river, is near Mokhotlong, impacting the landscape throughout the town and surrounding district.<ref name="Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland 3rd Ed">{{cite book|last=Murray, Williams, Everist|title=South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland|year=1998|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Hawthorn, Australia|isbn=0-86442-508-2|pages=609–610}}</ref> |
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Mokhotlong experiences a [[subtropical highland climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cwb'') with warm summers and cool, dry winters. |
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== Things to Do == |
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| ⚫ | The mountain range is host to activities including hiking trails, horse trails, rock climbing, white water rafting, fly and trout fishing, golfing, bird and game watching, safaris, and much more.<ref name="South Africa: Discover Our Drakensberg">{{cite web|title=South Africa: Discover Our Drakensberg|url=http://www.drakensberg-tourism.com/| |
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{{Weather box |
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| ⚫ | In addition to regular activities, Mokhotlong hosts the annual High Altitude Summer Marathon at the end of the year. The route runs through the Maloti Mountains and is characterized by |
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| width = auto |
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| metric first = yes |
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| single line = yes |
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| location = Mokhotlong (1981–2010) |
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| Jan high C = 24.8 |
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| Feb high C = 24.3 |
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| Mar high C = 22.5 |
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| Apr high C = 19.7 |
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| May high C = 16.7 |
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| Jun high C = 14.0 |
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| Jul high C = 14.2 |
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| Aug high C = 16.9 |
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| Sep high C = 20.3 |
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| Oct high C = 21.7 |
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| Nov high C = 22.8 |
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| Dec high C = 24.0 |
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| Jan low C = 11.2 |
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| Feb low C = 10.7 |
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| Mar low C = 9.0 |
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| Apr low C = 5.8 |
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| May low C = 2.7 |
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| Jun low C = -0.8 |
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| Jul low C = -1.1 |
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| Aug low C = 1.5 |
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| Sep low C = 5.3 |
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| Oct low C = 7.4 |
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| Nov low C = 8.7 |
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| Dec low C = 10.2 |
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| rain colour = green |
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| Jan rain mm = 102.7 |
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| Feb rain mm = 84.4 |
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| Mar rain mm = 68.9 |
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| Apr rain mm = 31.0 |
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| May rain mm = 11.4 |
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| Jun rain mm = 9.2 |
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| Jul rain mm = 3.3 |
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| Aug rain mm = 19.1 |
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| Sep rain mm = 25.8 |
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| Oct rain mm = 74.0 |
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| Nov rain mm = 79.1 |
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| Dec rain mm = 85.4 |
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| unit rain days = 0.5 mm |
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| Jan rain days = 14 |
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| Feb rain days = 13 |
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| Mar rain days = 11 |
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| Apr rain days = 7 |
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| May rain days = 3 |
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| Jun rain days = 2 |
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| Jul rain days = 1 |
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| Aug rain days = 3 |
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| Sep rain days = 3 |
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| Oct rain days = 10 |
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| Nov rain days = 11 |
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| Dec rain days = 13 |
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| source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref>{{cite web |
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|url = https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1335 |
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|title = World Weather Information Service |
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|publisher = World Meteorological Organization |
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|access-date = 18 August 2024}}</ref> |
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}} |
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== Events and activities == |
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| ⚫ | Mokhotlong is also on the route of the annual Roof of Africa Rally, an off-road motorcycle rally. Finally, Mokhotlong is home to the highest-elevated diamond mine in the world, [[Letseng diamond mine]], which can be toured, and is often frequented by local students as part of their course of study. Its diamonds have the highest per carat price of any [[kimberlite]] mine, and with the capacity to process more than 5 million tonnes a year and recover about 100,000 carats, it is the seventh largest in the world. Three of their diamonds are among the |
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| ⚫ | The mountain range is host to activities including hiking trails, horse trails, rock climbing, white water rafting, fly and trout fishing, golfing, bird and game watching, safaris, and much more.<ref name="South Africa: Discover Our Drakensberg">{{cite web|title=South Africa: Discover Our Drakensberg|url=http://www.drakensberg-tourism.com/|access-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In addition to regular activities, Mokhotlong hosts the annual High Altitude Summer Marathon at the end of the year. The route runs through the Maloti Mountains and is characterized by its views of surrounding mountains and villages. The route has many steep ascents and descents. There are also half marathon and 10k events, in addition to the full marathon. |
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== Economy == |
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| ⚫ | Mokhotlong is also on the route of the annual Roof of Africa Rally, an off-road motorcycle rally. Finally, Mokhotlong is home to the highest-elevated diamond mine in the world, [[Letseng diamond mine]], which can be toured, and is often frequented by local students as part of their course of study. Its diamonds have the highest per carat price of any [[kimberlite]] mine, and with the capacity to process more than 5 million tonnes a year and recover about 100,000 carats, it is the seventh largest in the world. Three of their diamonds are among the world's top twenty rough diamonds. |
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Mokhotlong’s economy is driven primarily by imports from China, subsistence farming, and street vending. Geography limits the productivity of the land, though, and [[HIV/AIDS]] is ravishing the area. As a result, it is host to many aid organizations. One of these, Touching Tiny Lives (next to the hospital), caters to vulnerable children through provision of nutritional and medical support. |
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== Socio-economy == |
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| ⚫ | Mokhotlong's economy is primarily driven by livestock rearing and |
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| ⚫ | Mokhotlong's economy is primarily driven by livestock rearing and subsistence [[agriculture]], though neither of these fully supports most families. Arable land in this mountainous region is a scarce resource. Agricultural production only sustains families from three to nine months of the year. Families cover the gap largely through livestock and remittances from employed family members. However, livestock distribution is skewed with 60% of the livestock owned by 10% of the population; approximately 35% of the community have no livestock. General income is small, given both poor educational opportunities and the high unemployment rate in Lesotho and in South Africa (especially this part of South Africa). Consequently, a large segment of the population is seriously poor.<ref name="GROW Annual Reports: 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-2001">GROW Annual Reports: 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-2001</ref> This is exacerbated by [[HIV/AIDS]], which ravages the region. Despite its poverty, few aid organizations work in Mokhotlong. Touching Tiny Lives provides nutritional and medical support to vulnerable children. GROW works with villages to increase agricultural production, support OVC households to improve livelihoods, capacity building, [[climate change adaptation]] strategies, etc. |
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| ⚫ | |||
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Camptowns of Lesotho}} |
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{{Refbegin}} |
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{{Refend}} |
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{{coord|29.288495|S|29.065568|E|display=title|region:LS_type:city}} |
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[[af:Mokhotlong]] |
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[[de:Mokhotlong]] |
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[[es:Mokhotlong]] |
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[[lt:Mokotlongas]] |
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[[nl:Mokhotlong (stad)]] |
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[[pl:Mokhotlong]] |
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[[pt:Mokhotlong (cidade)]] |
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[[ro:Mokhotlong]] |
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[[ru:Мокотлонг]] |
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[[uk:Мокотлонг]] |
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[[zh:莫霍特隆]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:57, 20 August 2024
Mokhotlong is a constituency, city and seat of Mokhotlong District in the mountainous northeastern part of Lesotho. It is the first major city with an airport along the road from South Africa across the Sani Pass, near the Maloti (Drakensberg in South Africa) Mountains. The name of the city is a word in Sesotho, the language of the people of Lesotho, meaning "Place of the Bald Ibis." Thabana Ntlenyana, the highest point in southern Africa, is found in Mokhotlong.
History
[edit]Mokhotlong's role as a police post first brought people to this part of Lesotho in 1905. It developed into a trading center for the people of the Highlands region. However, it was preserved from major development by its separation from the rest of the country. Not until 1947 was radio contact established with Maseru, the capital city.
In the next few years an air strip was built and a road cleared through town to link Mokhotlong to the rest of Lesotho. Even so, Mokhotlong continued to be outfitted with provisions and supplies by pony trek from Natal, South Africa, via Sani Pass.[1]
Geography and climate
[edit]An hour and a half drive north of Sani Pass, Mokhotlong is located 270 km from Maseru and 200 km from Butha-Buthe. The source of the Senqu River, Lesotho's largest river, is near Mokhotlong, impacting the landscape throughout the town and surrounding district.[2]
Mokhotlong experiences a subtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification Cwb) with warm summers and cool, dry winters.
| Climate data for Mokhotlong (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.8 (76.6) |
24.3 (75.7) |
22.5 (72.5) |
19.7 (67.5) |
16.7 (62.1) |
14.0 (57.2) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.9 (62.4) |
20.3 (68.5) |
21.7 (71.1) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.0 (75.2) |
20.2 (68.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.2 (52.2) |
10.7 (51.3) |
9.0 (48.2) |
5.8 (42.4) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.3 (41.5) |
7.4 (45.3) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
5.9 (42.6) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 102.7 (4.04) |
84.4 (3.32) |
68.9 (2.71) |
31.0 (1.22) |
11.4 (0.45) |
9.2 (0.36) |
3.3 (0.13) |
19.1 (0.75) |
25.8 (1.02) |
74.0 (2.91) |
79.1 (3.11) |
85.4 (3.36) |
594.3 (23.38) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.5 mm) | 14 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 91 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organization[3] | |||||||||||||
Events and activities
[edit]The mountain range is host to activities including hiking trails, horse trails, rock climbing, white water rafting, fly and trout fishing, golfing, bird and game watching, safaris, and much more.[4]
In addition to regular activities, Mokhotlong hosts the annual High Altitude Summer Marathon at the end of the year. The route runs through the Maloti Mountains and is characterized by its views of surrounding mountains and villages. The route has many steep ascents and descents. There are also half marathon and 10k events, in addition to the full marathon.
Mokhotlong is also on the route of the annual Roof of Africa Rally, an off-road motorcycle rally. Finally, Mokhotlong is home to the highest-elevated diamond mine in the world, Letseng diamond mine, which can be toured, and is often frequented by local students as part of their course of study. Its diamonds have the highest per carat price of any kimberlite mine, and with the capacity to process more than 5 million tonnes a year and recover about 100,000 carats, it is the seventh largest in the world. Three of their diamonds are among the world's top twenty rough diamonds.
Socio-economy
[edit]Mokhotlong's economy is primarily driven by livestock rearing and subsistence agriculture, though neither of these fully supports most families. Arable land in this mountainous region is a scarce resource. Agricultural production only sustains families from three to nine months of the year. Families cover the gap largely through livestock and remittances from employed family members. However, livestock distribution is skewed with 60% of the livestock owned by 10% of the population; approximately 35% of the community have no livestock. General income is small, given both poor educational opportunities and the high unemployment rate in Lesotho and in South Africa (especially this part of South Africa). Consequently, a large segment of the population is seriously poor.[5] This is exacerbated by HIV/AIDS, which ravages the region. Despite its poverty, few aid organizations work in Mokhotlong. Touching Tiny Lives provides nutritional and medical support to vulnerable children. GROW works with villages to increase agricultural production, support OVC households to improve livelihoods, capacity building, climate change adaptation strategies, etc.
In Mokhotlong City, the Mokhotlong district capital, formal employment is boosted by the presence of government offices.
References
[edit]- ^ McCrea, Mthembu-Salter, Pinchuck, Reid (1999). South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland: The Rough Guide. London: Penguin Books Ltd. pp. 644–646. ISBN 1-85828-460-0.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Murray, Williams, Everist (1998). South Africa, Lesotho, & Swaziland. Hawthorn, Australia: Lonely Planet. pp. 609–610. ISBN 0-86442-508-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "World Weather Information Service". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "South Africa: Discover Our Drakensberg". Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ GROW Annual Reports: 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-2001
