A hill on which Northcliff water tower is situated, some 10 km North-West of Johannesburg. Originates from Dutch, 'vulture hill', this name arouse from before the railway reached Johannesburg, up to a thousand wagons at a time were on route to cross the Vaal River, at Viljoensdrift. Draught sticken oxen that were left on the road, and thousands of vultures gathered to feed on them. Aasvoelkop was then far away from any habitation and these vultures inhabited this area!
placeREF P-0121813Revised
Place record
Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg
- Coordinates
- -26.0900, 27.5700
- Updated
- 23 Jul 2021
Northcliff Water Tower, Johannesburg
Location Map
Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg
How we know this
- 01South African Place Names by Peter E. Raper
Last updated · 23 Jul 2021
South African History Online. (2016, September 14). Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/P-0121813
South African History Online (2016) 'Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg', South African History Online, 14 September. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/P-0121813 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).
South African History Online, Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/P-0121813, (accessed 21 July 2026).
"Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg." South African History Online, 14 Sept. 2016, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/P-0121813. Accessed 21 July 2026.
South African History Online. "Aasvoelkop a Hill on which Northcliff Water Tower Stands, Johannesburg." South African History Online. September 14, 2016. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/P-0121813.
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