The town owes its existence to the petro-chemical industry. as well as a number of other large industries, such as Natref (fuel), Karbochem (rubber and carbo-chemical products), Omnia Fertilisers and Safripol (High density polyethylene and propylene). Sasol's refinery is one of the only two viable coal-derived oil refineries in the world. The town was established in the early 1950's in order to provide housing and facilities for SASOL (South African Coal, Oil & Gas) employees.

Oak trees in particular featured strongly to help make Sasolburg a green town. In 1991 it was elected Arhor Town of South Africa in recognition of what it has done to preserve and promote trees, while it has won the administrator's Trophy for the most beautiful Large Town in the Free State several times.

The Local Municipality of Metsimaholo includes the towns of Sasolburg, Zamdela, Deneysville & Oranjeville as well as the surrounding rural areas.

The area lies at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters above sea level. The average annual rainfall is 638 mm while the average maximum summer temperature is 27°C and the average minimum winter temperature is 1,6°C. The combined population of Sasolburg & Zamdela is approximately 141 000 people.

 The town boasts a large number of primary and secondary schools. It also caters for tertiary education through Flavios Mareka College while North West University is a mere 20 kilometers away in Vanderbijlpark.

Child care is provided by a large number of creches on a half day or full day basis as well as nursery schools.

 Sasolburg caters for most religions.

How to get there...

Sasolburg is reached by the R59 from Vereeniging and the east Rand Johannesburg International Airport is a mere 100km from Sasolburg. Johannesburg lies 80 km to the north of Sasolburg on the N1 while Bloemfontein is situated some 360 km south of the town.