Foundation

The first white expedition from the South to this part of the Cape Province was led by none other than Simon van der Stel, governor of the settlement established 33 years earlier at the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company. In 1685, he embarked on this journey of exploration, having heard reports of rich copper deposits in the area and still captivated by the old legend of the fabulously rich Christian empire of Monomotapa somewhere to the North. Van der Stel camped just 5 km to the East of the present town of Springbok, at a location where he sank three prospecting shafts. The largest of these shafts, on which he carved his initials, has been declared a national monument and is a significant tourist attraction. Van der Stel also sent scouts to the West Coast to search for a suitable harbor for the ships that would one day load his copper, but received reports that the coastline was so smooth and unbroken that no suitable bays or inlets existed. Remarkably, the very area that the scouts had traversed would later become the site where, 241 years later, the richest diamond deposits in the world would be discovered – where Vigiti Magna had once lain.

A land of Riches 

Interest in the riches of the region faded after this period, but several travelers were still drawn to this dry land . Some came to hunt , others sought the thrill of adventure in the wild interior , and some arrived to spread the Gospel . In 1760 , Jacobus Coetsé hunted elephant here. The following year, Hendrik Hop led an official expedition in 1761 . Soon after, Willem van Reenen , enticed by tales of copper and gold , arrived and discovered a few white farmers already settled in the Kamiesberge , to the south of the present town of Springbok . During these years, the French naturalist and adventurer Francois le Vaillant traveled here and left highly romantic accounts of his observations.

Settlers

In 1777 – 1778 , Col. R.J. Gordon distinguished himself as an explorer and reached the Gariep north of the Sneeuberg . He named the great river the Orange in honor of the ruling house of the Netherlands . In 1813 , John Campbell of the London Missionary Society traveled through these parts. The official border was defined in 1847 , when it looped forward over the migrating settlers from Buffelsrivier to the Orange . However, as early as 1836 , when large numbers of stock farmers were leaving the Eastern frontier of the Cape Colony during the Great Trek , which took them into the Free State , Natal , and Transvaal , Sir James Alexander found European settlers at Springbok Fountain .

Prosperity

The partners Philips and King of Cape Town bought part of the farm Melkboschkuil from the Cloete brothers in 1852, and on the North-Western slopes of the ridges, about the present town, they established an open-cast copper mine. This venture brought prosperity to the region. Before the smelting furnace was built here, high-grade ore had to be transported by ox wagon from Springbok to Hondeklip Bay in the form of broken ore packed into bags of about 45 kg. Tradition has it that the transport riders of the district were paid a hundred sovereigns for each wagon load of ore taken to the coast and of mining machinery, groceries, and other supplies brought back, but it was a grueling round trip. Parts of the old Copper Road they traveled can still be seen. The famous Messelpad across the mountains west of the Buffelsrivier was the product of convict labour and inspired engineering. When richer deposits of copper were discovered at Okiep, 5 km to the north of Springbok and at Nababeep, 19 km to the North-West, the little village of Springboktontein suffered a reversal, and its development was arrested.

Cape Copper Company

Surveyor P. Fletcher laid out the town of Springbok in 1862 , and four years later, a furnace for the reduction of copper was constructed in the gap in the ridges to the North-East of the town. Here, the Cape Copper Company intended to smelt the piles of lower-grade ore mined in earlier years around Springboktontein . For years, this oldest smelting furnace in all of Southern Africa was a boon to the town. When it came into production, the farmers of the district once again had an extra source of income, just as they had in the days of transport riding . Now, they set about meeting the demand of the smelting furnace for hardwood . The company was willing to pay very high prices for suitable wood in this treeless region . Many an old-timer of Springbok recalled how, as a child, they had helped load the heavy logs of noenieboom ( Boscia species ) and Olienhout ( Olea Africana ) onto the wagons. The smelting furnace was declared a national monument in 1959 .

End of Boer War

Towards the end of the South African War ( 1899 – 1902 ), the Boer commando under General Manie Maritz engaged the British garrison in its stronghold on the koppie in the middle of the town. In the short, sharp battle of Springbok (1902) , the Boers won a tactical victory . The British were taken by surprise in an unexpected attack from the mountains to the west of the town. General J.C. Smuts established his headquarters in the old drostdy , which in later years served as a school hostel for boys from the outlying farms, appropriately known as "Die Ark." It is a great pity that this historic building was demolished some years ago.

Growth

The discovery of diamonds along the West Coast, particularly at Alexander Bay, heralded a boom period for Springbok, whose growth was influenced by the rising demand on the world market for the various base minerals mined in the region. The future of this picturesque town, set amidst the most beautiful of Namaqualand’s granite ridges and koppies, seems secure indeed.

In 1908, a German hotel owner , FW Ernst Martins , started prospecting for diamonds in Alexander Bay . Later, in September 1926 , Dr. Hans Merensky , a renowned geologist , made a significant find by recovering 2762 diamonds in just one month. This discovery included 487 diamonds from under a single flat stone, solidifying the region’s place in diamond mining history.

The Stone Church

On approaching this stately building perched on a hill in the center of Springbok, one is moved by the austere yet poignant work of art, crafted from the blue granite of the land itself. As you read the words engraved on the cornerstone, it becomes clear that this is more than just a house of worship; it is a testament to the strength and unity of the community.

The engraving reads:

“Den God der Wondren alleen de eer. Gemeente gesticht 1830, Kerk voltooid 1921. Nageslachten! Zicht wat eendracht onder Gods zegen kan doen.”

Translated, it acknowledges the divine, the foundation of the church in 1830, its completion in 1921, and a message for future generations: "To God alone the glory. Congregation founded 1830, church completed 1921. Descendants! See what unity under God’s blessing can achieve."

Town Management

The first town management board was established in 1922 , and in 1933 , Springbok was granted municipal status . Few people realize that the land on which the town was laid out remained the property of the mining company until 1942 . On 21 February 1942 , the municipality purchased the land from the Copper company for ₤750 . This marked a pivotal moment in the town’s development, shifting ownership to the municipality and laying the groundwork for its growth into the thriving town it is today.

Water Supply

The supply of water from the boreholes soon proved inadequate for the growing town, and in 1955 , the water supply was augmented through an agreement with the Okiep Copper Company , which also provided electricity to the town. To meet the needs of Springbok and surrounding areas, a 48 cm pipeline was established in 1976 , transporting water from the pumping station at Henkries on the Orange River . This significant infrastructure development ensured a reliable water source for the expanding community.