Upington history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Upington dates back to the 1870s. The city grew from a missionary station founded by Reverend Christian Schröder. Initially, the settlement was named Olyvenhoutsdrift, which translates to "Olive Wood Drift," due to the abundance of wild olive trees in the area.

The city received its modern name in 1884 in honour of Sir Thomas Upington, who served as the Attorney General and subsequently the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony. This event marked the transition from a small mission to an officially recognised settlement.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the city in such an arid region as the Northern Cape was made possible by several key factors:

• The Orange River: Upington is situated on the banks of South Africa's largest river. Access to water became a decisive condition for the survival and prosperity of the city on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.
• Engineering Solutions: Christian Schröder and the early settlers designed and built a system of irrigation canals, which allowed river water to be used for agriculture.
• Transport Hub: Thanks to the presence of a convenient ford across the river, the settlement became an important stopover point for traders and travellers moving deeper into the continent.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Upington was based exclusively on agriculture. Thanks to irrigation, arid lands were transformed into fertile fields where wheat, cotton, lucerne, and fruits began to be grown. A special place was occupied by viticulture, which remains a hallmark of the region to this day.

The cultural life of the city formed around missionary activities and the church. The mission building, constructed by Schröder, has been preserved to this day and serves as a reminder of the diligence of the first inhabitants who managed to create a green oasis amidst the harsh landscapes.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1871: Reverend Christian Schröder founds the Olyvenhoutsdrift mission station, which became the core of the future city.
• 1884: The settlement is officially renamed Upington in honour of Sir Thomas Upington, Attorney General of the Cape Colony.
• 1898: Upington receives municipality status, beginning to form its own local government bodies.
• 1915: The railway reaches the city, and a bridge across the Orange River is built in record time for military needs.
• 1968: Airport reconstruction is completed, during which a 4,900-metre long runway was built — one of the longest in the world.
• 1974: The city experiences a massive flood when the Orange River burst its banks, inundating vast territories.
• 1982: The famous bronze monument to the donkey is unveiled, symbolising the invaluable contribution of this animal to the region's development in the pre-mechanisation era.
• 1988: Another destructive flood causes damage to infrastructure and vineyards, requiring a long recovery period.
• 2000: During administrative reform, Upington becomes the centre of a new local municipality (now the Dawid Kruiper Municipality).
• 2016: The Khi Solar One solar thermal power station is commissioned in the vicinity of the city, strengthening the region's status as a renewable energy hub.

Developmental Milestones and Their Significance

The evolution of Upington is the story of the transformation of a remote missionary station into a modern agricultural and logistics hub. Below are the key stages that defined the current appearance of the city:

• Creation of the Irrigation System (Late 19th Century):

  The construction of canals by the first settlers became the foundation of the city's economy. This engineering solution allowed a strip of desert land along the Orange River to be turned into a fertile oasis, making the cultivation of cotton, lucerne, and later, grapes possible on an industrial scale.

• Construction of the Railway Bridge (1915):

  Connecting Upington to the railway network and erecting the bridge across the river had colossal strategic importance. This brought the region out of transport isolation, opening a route for trade with Namibia and simplifying the export of agricultural produce to South African markets.

• Industrialisation of Viticulture (1965):

  The founding of the Orange River Wine Cellars cooperative united scattered farmers and standardised production. This event secured the region's status as one of the largest producers of wine products and dried fruits (raisins) in the Southern Hemisphere, ensuring stable employment.

• Airport Reconstruction (1968):

  The construction of one of the longest runways in the world (4,900 m) radically changed export potential. The airport could accommodate heavy cargo aircraft, allowing fresh table grapes to be shipped directly to European markets, bypassing lengthy maritime logistics.

• Development of Renewable Energy (2010s):

  The launch of solar thermal power stations (such as Khi Solar One) marked the beginning of a new economic era. Using a unique climatic resource — high solar activity — attracted international investment and diversified the economy, reducing reliance solely on the agrarian sector.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Upington does not feature the pomp of European capitals; it is a practical and restrained style, dictated by the harsh climate of the Kalahari Desert and the functional needs of an agricultural centre. Urban development evolved linearly along the Orange River, which serves as the main axis of life in the region.

Historical Eras and Styles

In the appearance of the city, one can trace the evolution from the temporary structures of early settlers to the permanent buildings of the colonial era and modern functional development.

• Missionary Period (Late 19th Century):

  Characterised by simplicity and utility. Buildings were erected from available local materials (clay, stone) with thick walls for protection against the heat. The style can be described as vernacular (folk) with elements of European rural architecture.

• Colonial Style and Neo-Gothic (Early 20th Century):

  With the growth of prosperity and obtaining municipality status, administrative and religious buildings appeared in the city, reflecting the influence of British and Dutch architecture. The key style for iconic structures became restrained Neo-Gothic and Victorian style.

• Industrial Functionalism (Mid to Late 20th Century):

  The development of the agro-industrial complex and transport infrastructure led to the appearance of utilitarian concrete and steel structures (bridges, cooperative warehouses, the airport building), where aesthetics gave way to practicality.

Iconic Architectural and Landscape Sites

Several key sites form the recognisable visual code of Upington:

• Mission Building (Kalahari-Oranje Museum):

  The oldest building in the city (1875). Built by Reverend Schröder from raw brick. This is a classic example of early settler architecture: rectangular shape, gable roof, and minimal decoration. The building has preserved the spirit of the founding era.

• Dutch Reformed Church (NG Moederkerk):

  The dominant feature of the historical centre. A majestic sandstone building with a high spire tower, executed with elements of Neo-Gothic style. It symbolises the central role of religion in the life of the Boer communities of the early 20th century.

• Date Palm Avenue:

  A unique example of landscape architecture. The avenue, over a kilometre long and planted in 1935, consists of more than 200 date palms. It is a national monument and an important urban planning element leading to "Die Eiland" resort area.

Prominent Figures of Upington

The history and modernity of Upington are inextricably linked with the names of people who contributed to the city's development, brought it fame on the international stage, or became part of local folklore. Among them are missionaries, politicians, legendary adventurers, and stars of the global screen.

• Christian Schröder — City Founder and Missionary
  The first white settler in this area, arriving here in 1871. It was he who built the first church and the mission building, which is now a museum. Schröder designed and laid the first irrigation canals, proving the possibility of agriculture in an arid climate, which became the basis of the region's economy.
• Sir Thomas Upington — Politician and Lawyer
  Prime Minister of the Cape Colony (1884–1886), in whose honour the city received its name. Although Sir Thomas himself lived in Cape Town, his political activity and decision to officially recognise the settlement played a key role in the city's formation. He was called the "Afrikaner from Cork" for defending the interests of local residents.
• George St. Leger Gordon Lennox (Scotty Smith) — Legendary Adventurer
  Known as the "Robin Hood of the Kalahari," Scotty Smith was perhaps the most colourful resident of the region. A former soldier, horse thief, and gentleman bandit, he became the hero of numerous local legends. Smith spent the last years of his life in Upington and is buried in the city cemetery; his grave is a popular tourist attraction.
• Alice Krige — Theatre and Film Actress
  A Hollywood star born in Upington in 1954. She gained international recognition for her roles in the film "Chariots of Fire" and the iconic role of the Borg Queen in the "Star Trek" universe. Alice often mentions her origins from the "harsh but beautiful" Northern Cape.
• Shaleen Surtie-Richards — Actress and TV Presenter
  A native of Upington (born in 1955) who became an icon of South African television. She brought her greatest fame through roles in the series Egoli: Place of Gold and the film Fiela se Kind. She is considered one of the country's most talented actresses of the transition to democracy era.
• Jasper Wiese — Professional Rugby Player
  A modern sporting hero of the city, born in Upington in 1995. A player for the South African national team (the "Springboks"), with whom he became a two-time Rugby World Cup champion. His success inspires the younger generation of athletes in the Northern Cape.