Jacobsdal is a small farming town in the Free State’s Xhariep Region, located in an irrigated area of the hot and dry karoo landscape close to the Free State border with the Diamond Fields Region Northern Cape, about 70km south of Kimberley.
The Jacobsdal area is irrigated from the Riet River (Rietrivier) and produces potatoes, groundnuts, maize, cotton, wheat maize and lucerne, in addition to the ubiquitous sheep farms and cattle ranches. Of late, vines have also been planted, producing both wine and table grapes. Local wines can be tasted at the Landzicht Wine Estate. (Note here: Please don’t confuse this Estate with the Jacobsdal Wine Estate in the Western Cape.)
Jacobsdal may be a small agricultural town, dwarfed by the irrigated lands to the north, but the little town is Free State ‘gem’, with a rich Afrikaans heritage, Boer War history and the accolade of being the first place in South Africa where alluvial diamonds were discovered. Today, besides the Landzicht Wine Estate, there is a well known agricultural college, country accommodations, farm stays and lodges on the Rietrivier.
In addition, the award-winning Mokala National Park is situated just over the border in the Northern Cape, and Jacobsdal is en-route to Kimberley from Philippolis, along with the charming Free State villages of Koffiefontein and Fauresmith.
The Jacobsdal area is also famous for its irrigation canals, and locals sometimes go ‘canal surfing’ in rubber tubes…lots of fun, but don’t get caught! It’s not allowed as it can be quite dangerous…
Getting there: Take the R704 north from Philippolis via Fauresmith and Koffiefontein, or the N12 south from Kimberley via Ritchie.
