Acornhoek

Acornhoek is a town in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

Acornhoek
Acornhoek
Acornhoek
Coordinates: 24.593°S 31.097°E / -24.593; 31.097
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceMpumalanga
DistrictEhlanzeni
MunicipalityBushbuckridge
Area
 • Total38.89 km2 (15.02 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total33,529
 • Density860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African99.7%
 • Coloured0.1%
 • Indian/Asian0.1%
 • White0.1%
 • Other0.1%
First languages (2011)
 • Tsonga73.8%
 • Northern Sotho16.9%
 • Sotho6.1%
 • Other3.2%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
1360
Area code013

The township is located 38 km south-east of Hoedspruit and 165 km north-west of Komatipoort. The name is variously explained as being an adaptation of Eekhoornhoek ('squirrel corner'); derived from the German surname Eichhorn, and named after the acorn-like fruits of the marula tree.[2]

The main languages spoken are Xitsonga and Sepulana. The Vatsonga occupy the eastern side of the township and Mapulana people are settled on the western side of the township.

Commercial activity

There two main commercial areas: Acornhoek CBD and Acornhoek Plaza. Here residents are able to access banks, grocery shops, clothing shops, take-away franchises, etc. The town has one public hospital (Tintswalo Hospital), a police station, Enhlazeni FET college, a local municipality office, and a small traffic police department. Public transport is by mini-bus taxi and bus. The nearest airport is Eastgate Airport which is 25 km away. Airport transfers and sightseeing tours are offered from the Eastgate airport.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in B&B's, Lodges, Guest Houses, and nearby private game reserves: Hoyo-Hoyo lodge, Secret Hill and Timbavati Game Reserve to name a few. For nature and wildlife attractions, one can access the Kruger National Park through the Orpen gate entrance that is 39 km away, Manyeleti Game Reserve which is 49 km away, or Blyde River Canyon which is 50 km away.

References
  1. "Main Place Acornhoek". Census 2011.
  2. Raper, Peter E. (1987). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Internet Archive. p. 51. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
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