The history of Grootfontein dates back to the 1790s, when Klaas van der Walt lived on Grootfontein and the farm covered 3,800 ha. The first official registration only took place in 1836, when it was awarded to Hendrik van der Walt and his brother Nicolaas as erfpagland. The farm Grootfontein was originally divided into two sections, with a dry river bed as the only separation.

Under the successive ownership of the Van der Walt, Vorster and Du Plessis families, Grootfontein gradually grew to its present size of 11,418 hectares. The farm’s last private owners were Jan and Nicolaas van der Walt and their sister Lucia, married to Schalk Willem Vorster.

After the Anglo Boer War, the farm was bought by the British Department of War in order to establish a peace-keeping force in the area. This was the beginning of the military era of Grootfontein that lasted from 1903 to 1910. During this military period between 12,000 and 15,000 British soldiers were stationed at Grootfontein.

During this period most of the soldiers lived in tents until prefabricated houses were imported, made of wood and corrugated iron. Some of these houses are still in use. About 7 000 troops from the Third Manchester Regiment were stationed at Grootfontein. Some of them were married, so about 3 000 women and children also lived at Grootfontein. The infrastructure was well-developed and included schools, a church, hospital and housing for the troops and their families. The troops brought 2 000 horses with them.

The foundation of the Grootfontein College of Agriculture dates back to the year after Union in 1910. The farm Grootfontein was transferred to the Union Government by the Imperial Government in 1911 and an agricultural school was started in the same year. The total size of the ground 11 418 ha.

In 1939 Grootfontein gained College status and is one of the oldest agricultural colleges in South Africa. It has a proud training and research history contributing to the prosperity of livestock farming in the Karoo and other arid regions. The vision of Grootfontein is to be the world’s leading centre of excellence in training, research and extension in small stock and in agricultural production in semi-arid to arid climates.

Visits by prior arrangement only: Elana Kitching – Tel: 049 – 802 67722 or email  : elanak@daff.gov.za. Fax : 086 2386 295.