Acornhoek
Acornhoek Show map of Mpumalanga Acornhoek Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 24°35′35″S 31°05′49″E / 24.593°S 31.097°E / -24.593; 31.097
Country	South Africa
Province	Mpumalanga
District	Ehlanzeni
Municipality	Bushbuckridge
Area [1]
• Total	38.89 km2 (15.02 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	33,529
• Density	860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	99.7%
• Coloured	0.1%
• Indian/Asian	0.1%
• White	0.1%
• Other	0.1%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Tsonga	73.8%
• Northern Sotho	16.9%
• Sotho	6.1%
• Other	3.2%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
PO box	1360
Area code	013

Acornhoek, commonly known as Khenhuk, is a semi-rural town situated in the north eastern areas of Bushbuckridge in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

Established in the late 1950s, the town is located about 38 km south-east of Hoedspruit in Limpopo and 165 km north-west of Komatipoort near the border post of Mozambique and eSwatini. The name Acornhoek is variously explained as being an adaptation of Eekhoornhoek ('squirrel corner'); derived from the German surname Eichhorn, and named after the acorn-like fruits of the marula tree.^[2]

The main languages spoken in Acornhoek are Sepulana and Xitsonga. The Vatsonga occupy the eastern side of the township while most of Mapulana people are settled on the western and southern areas of the township.

Entertainment

The town has several places of entertainment which are capable of entertaining people, venues include:

• Zitha Nkanyani Tavern
• Quiet Vibes/Anjos Square
• The Village Guest House
• La Zara Resort
• Lebogang Bar Lounge
• Dela Casa Pub and Grill
• Bheksisa Pub and Grill
• LOA
• The City Kgabe Park
• Meropa Lodge

The town is currently being recognized by several artists who are booked to perform at these various entertainment venues. Acornhoek has produced and is home to industry stalwarts like SABC radio producer Xolani Wale Khenhuk, TV personality Penny Lebyane, International footballer Rhulani Manzini, Industry specialist Prince Kgoedi, Miss Mpumalanga 2021 Claude Mashego, SATMA Winner MissKay Chardnah, Entertainment blogger McKing Ngobeni and Celebrity Financial Guru Nicolette Mashile.Casey Mathebula Specialist

Commercial activity

There are three main commercial areas in this rural township namely; Acornhoek CBD, Acornhoek Plaza and Acornhoek mall.

At these areas residents are able to access banks, grocery shops like SuperSpar, Game, Shoprite, Roots Butchery, clothing outlets, take-away franchises and many others.

The town has one public hospital, Tintswalo Hospital. Tintswalo Hospital was built in the 1930s and it is one of the largest medical facility in Bushbuckridge sub-region. Several residents from as far as Phalaborwa in the Limpopo province also visits the hospital.

There is one police station in the township and a Magistrate's Court. Ehlanzeni FET College is one of the most popular areas in the township which attracts a lot of students from various areas across the country.

Acornhoek is also home to the regional offices of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, and also a small traffic police department.

Public transport is by mini-bus or taxi and bus. The nearest airport is Eastgate Airport which is about 25km away from the township.

Airport transfers and sightseeing tours are offered from the Eastgate Airport. There are several fuel filling stations in the township which among others includes BP Garage, Swift and Puma.

Notable Brands

• R FM 103.2, radio station
• Haii Suka Clothing, apparel company
• Top Class Shandis, apparel company
• SWHANCHA, lifestyle brand
• Amanga Clothing, apparel company
• Daz D, apparel company
• Amigo Jeans, apparel company

Sporting

Football is currently the main sport dominating communities of Acornhoek with no other sport being developed in the area. Teams like Happy Dam, Juventus, Zilla Spurs, White Hill, Score Rangers, Dynamos, All Blacks, Mhandzi, Burkina Faso amongst others, still exist and compete in different regional competitions. Several trials have been made to establish other sporting codes but have failed due to lack of continued support. In the late 2000s, Vincent Mathebula introduced cricket to young prospects but insufficient resources forced them to abandon the initiative.

Acornhoek News

Acornhoek News is an online news publication focusing on events that happen on the area and other issues of interest. The publication first went live during community unrests in 2018 as updates were posted on their Facebook page which subsequently became their primary publishing platform. The publication was welcomed by readers and became a source of local news for many. Their successful run sparked interest of print media hence causing tension with other subjects. The publication page was later purchased by Brand Acornhoek.

Brand Acornhoek

Seeing the need to provide development support, a group of individuals hailing from Acornhoek gathered and resolved to establish Brand Acornhoek, a marketing and development platform that also serves as a lobby organisation.

The initiative also runs Corporate Social Investments gigs for local businesses using the Miss Acornhoek Foundation ambassadors as project faces. The organisation is yet to crown the official Miss Acornhoek after many delays and controversial crowning of the 2017 winner.

The 2017 competition was cancelled due to the results being rigged and organisers are yet to host the official edition.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in B&B's, Lodges, Guest Houses, and nearby private game reserves: Hoyo-Hoyo lodge, Zitha Nkanyani Motel and Restaurant, Secret Hill and Timbavati Game Reserve to name a few. For nature and wildlife attractions, one can access the Kruger National Park through the Orpen gate entrance that is 39 km away, Manyeleti Game Reserve which is 49 km away, or Blyde River Canyon which is 50 km away.

References