Polokwaneformerly (1886–2002) Pietersburgcity, town and capital of Northern Limpopo province, South Africa. It is located about midway between Pretoria and the Zimbabwe border, at an elevation of 4,199 feet (1,280 mmetres). The town It was founded by Voortrekkers (Afrikaans: “Pioneers”) in 1886 on land purchased in 1884 from a local farmer and was named after Pietersburg in honour of Petrus (Piet) Joubert, a Boer general. It was the temporary capital in 1900 of both the Transvaal and the Orange Free State during the South African War . The (1899–1902), and the British occupied the town Pietersburg in 1901. Pietersburg In 2002 the city’s name was changed to Polokwane (Sotho: “Place of Safety”).

Polokwane is now a centre of trade for the surrounding agricultural area, which produces potatoes, alfalfa (lucerne), garlic, corn (maize), sorghum, peanuts (groundnuts), and fruits and includes some of the finest cattle ranches in South Africa. It is the largest urban area in Northern Limpopo province and is an educational centre. The University of the North Limpopo (founded dating to 1959) is located has a campus at Turfloop, 14 miles (22.5 km) east of PietersburgPolokwane.

Industries in the town city produce processed meat, asbestos and corundum products, dairy products, fruit juice, mineral waters, and candy. To the south of the town city, there is a nature reserve and recreation park. There is also a large military air installation. Pietersburg has Polokwane has an international airport and major road and railway connections with the South Africa–Zimbabwe border (north) and with Johannesburg. Pop. (19852001) 29,909mun., 508,277.