Griquatown, also known as Griquastad, placed on the map with the discovery nearby, of diamonds, is on the route known as the Diamond Fields, and is well known for semi-precious stones like jasper and tiger’s eye. Today it is essentially a sheep farming community, important for the production of wool, karakul pelts and cattle.
The town has an interesting past. A mission station was established here in 1803 by the London Missionary Society and headed by Robert Moffat from 1820.
The station and the original home of the family, now houses the Mary Moffat Museum. Mary was married to the explorer David Livingston. It features displays on the Griquas, San and other African groups from the early 1800’s and on missionaries from the London Missionary Society.
You can also see the two cannons known as Old Niklaas and Old Grietjie given to the community by Queen Victoria.
It was the missionaries who encouraged the local tribe, the Chaguriqua to renamed themselves Griqua, and the town became known as Griquatown. The museum is in Main Street: Tel: 053 343 0180: Mon-Fri: 08:00-13:00; 14:00-17:00.
The nearby Witsand Nature Reserve, just 20 kilometres south west of Postmasburg is quite beautiful, and worth a visit.
Griquastad lies on the N8 that links Kimberley with Upington.
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