- Northern Cape
- Richtersveld
- Lekkersing
Lekkersing, Richtersveld, Northern Cape
- Information
- Commerces & Services (1)
Lekkersing is a tiny settlement in the Northern Cape with only around 650 residents. It lies nestled in the hills of the Richtersveld, a faulted, age-old lava landscape of rugged mountain ranges, interspersed with wide open plains.
Richtersveld is home to only a few villages, Lekkersing being one which is situated approximately 60 km east of Port Nolloth and 100 km north of Springbok. Temperatures here often reach between 40 and 45 ˚C and locals can often be seen resting on their front stoeps waving to the donkey carts going by.
The name Lekkersing,!Xaing !Xaing in the Nama language, means “singing sweetly or nicely” and there are two stories as to how the town came by this wonderful name. The first is that Ryk Jasper Cloete heard the people singing when he visited the village and thought it so beautiful, he named the place Lekkersing. The second is that the natural spring just outside the village made a noise like the sound of merry singing.
It is the special way of life in little towns like Lekkersing which makes a visit here so unique. Experience the Nama traditions, food, dance and of course their singing! Explore the Skurwehoogte caves nearby, the fragrant Lekkersing shrubs and juicy succulents, and the places where small settlements were found thousands of years ago. Local arts and crafts are available at the Rusoord Club for the Elderly. Visit the nearby Kalkfontein farm for an invigorating hike, or for horse riding and bird watching.
There are a variety of Bed & Breakfasts, Lodges and self-catering units for rent in the vicinity of Lekkersing.
Things to do and see
- Lekkersing Old Stone Mine
- Protea Club Food Garden
- Horse Riding & Donkey Cart Trips
- Kalkfontein Farm
- Richtersveld National Park
- Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape
- Akkedis Pass
- Port Nolloth Museum
- Port Nolloth Beach
- Port Nolloth Lighthouse
Climate
Lekkersing receives approximately 84 mm of rain per year, virtually no rain all year round.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 27˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 6˚C and 21˚C.
Transport
There are the occasional domestic flights into Upington Airport which is approximately 540 km away. A more popular route, however, is to fly to Cape Town International Airport and travel the 721 km along the N7, stopping along the way at the many wonderful West Coast towns. Car hire facilities are available at all Airports.
History
The small settlement of Lekkersing was established in 1926 by Ryk Jasper Cloete, but its history goes much further into the Nama culture and traditions.
The quartzite Stone Mine in Lekkersing was established in 1964 and has produced exquisite slabs of stone in earthy reds and gold, used for tiling all over the world.