Bethal

Bethal is a farming town in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The farms in the region produce maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye and potatoes. The town lies 155 km east of Johannesburg on the N17 national route.

History
The town originated on an old farm called Blesbokspruit. The town, established in on 12 October 1880, was named after the combined names of the wives of the owners of the farm, Elizabeth du Plooy and Alida Naude. It became a municipality in 1921.

Agriculture
Bethal is famous for its potato industry, and the annual National Potato Festival was held there in early May, but discontinued in 2007. Other agriculture includes maize, sunflower seeds, sorghum, rye, oats and barley. Animal husbandry includes cattle, dairy and sheep farming. Bethal was once the headquarters of AFGRI, and agricultural firm, now based in Centurion but its flour mill remains in the town.

Mining
Bethal lies in South Africa's coal mining region and there are mines close by. Exxaro acquired the Total Coal South Africa in 2014 and has five mines in the area. Apart from exports, the coal is used in the Eskom power stations that dot the region.

Geography
The Olifants River has its origin near Bethal. The river eventually flows into the Limpopo River in Mozambique.

Law and government
Bethal lies in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (formerly Highveld East Local Municipality) situated in the Gert Sibande District, of Mpumalanga.

Roads
Bethal is the crossroads of three main roads. The R38 leads out north-east to Carolina and south-west to Standerton. The R35 leads north to Middleburg 80 km away while the R35 connects south to Amersfoort 80 km away. The N17 connects westwards to Johannesburg and eastwards to Ermelo and Eswatini.

Notable people

 * Andries Coetzee – South Africa national rugby team player
 * Llewellyn Herbert – 2000 Summer Olympics 400 metres hurdles bronze medal winner
 * Basil Hirschowitz – gastroenterologist and inventor
 * Qedani Mahlangu – Gauteng MEC for Health
 * Busisiwe Mkhwebane – Public Protector of South Africa
 * Josia Thugwane – 1996 Summer Olympics marathon gold medal winner. South Africa's first black athlete to win an Olympic gold medal
 * Riaan Dempers - South African sprinter and former record holder in the 200 meters