NW Coat of Arms

Date: 19 September, 1980

The South African government handed over Mafeking to the Republic of Bophuthatswana, three years after being granted independence. The handing-over also effected the name change of this town from the British pronunciation Mafeking to a Tswana name, Mafikeng, meaning a 'place of stones'. The town became the seat of the Bophuthatswana government until the new capital, Mmabatho, was developed. Mafikeng now incorporates Mmabatho (Mother of the People), and is the current capital of the North West Province, which was created after South Africa's first democratic election.

Click here to read a terse history of Mafikeng.

References:

1. History of Mafikeng [online], available at: scouting.org.za [accessed 21 September 2009]