South Africa's Ice Wars: A Look at the Country's Coldest Spots

Part of our African Geography Hub — Explore Africa's landscapes and environment.

Chilling in Africa: A Tale of Two Cold Spots, let's explore unexpected cold areas in South Africa, and the competition between Sutherland and Buffelsfontein for the title of coldest place in Africa.

South Africa's Ice Wars: A Tale of Two Towns

South Africa, widely celebrated for its warm and sunny climate, holds some surprising secrets within its geographical diversity. Nestled amid its varied landscapes are unexpected areas that experience extreme cold, challenging the common perceptions of the region's weather. This phenomenon has given rise to a lighthearted yet competitive rivalry between two specific locales: Sutherland, known as the coldest permanently inhabited town in the country, and Buffelsfontein, a private farm that proudly boasts the national record for the lowest temperature ever recorded.

Sutherland is a town in the Northern Cape that is famous for its chilly winter nights and occasional snowfall. The town's high altitude and geographical features contribute to its cold climate, attracting visitors who are curious about its winter landscapes.

On the other hand, Buffelsfontein is a private farm close to Sutherland and holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in South Africa. This location often experiences extremely cold winters, making it a notable example of the country’s climatic extremes.

Experiencing Snow in Africa

Snow in Africa is a rare occurrence, primarily confined to high-altitude regions like the Drakensberg Mountains and the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. When snow does fall, it can disrupt daily life, impacting transportation, agriculture, and even access to essential services.

Communities in areas that get a lot of snow have built special structures and systems to deal with harsh winter weather. For example, they have roofs designed to keep snow from piling up too much, which can be a real safety concern. They also set up drainage systems to prevent flooding when the snow melts. Snow fences are placed in certain spots to stop snow from drifting into roads and pathways.

South African buildings in snow areas usually have features like thicker windows and better insulation to keep the cold out and save on heating costs. All of these efforts show how African communities winter throughout the season.

The Battle for South Africa's Chill Crown

Buffelsfontein holds the record for the lowest temperature in South Africa, a frigid 0°F recorded on June 18, 1996. However, Sutherland consistently experiences cold winters, with an average yearly temperature of 52°F. This ongoing debate highlights the diverse climate within South Africa and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by extreme weather conditions.

African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

Photo of Ivy, author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

View citations →

African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.