Dr van der Bijl wanted to establish a town of pleasant surroundings where residents could lead a full and satisfactory life. He intended to live in the town himself and was planning his home when he died on 2 December 1948 at the very height of his career. His town was proclaimed in 1949 and became a municipality on 29 October 1952.
Today, Vanderbijlpark has a population of over 80,000. It is a classic example of an industrial township of the 20th century, with over half a million trees planted and many delightful gardens and recreational areas developed. The area has already become one of the most sought after residential or weekend get-away areas in Gauteng, with a succession of dream homes along the waterfront. Vanderbijlpark boasts the Vaal University of Technology (previously the Vaal Triangle Technikon) as well as the Vaal Triangle campus of the North West University. Iscor is now called Mittal Steel South Africa Limited and is a division of the world’s biggest steel producer, Mittal Steel Company N.V.
Page 7b
V
anderbijlpark
