Potchefstroom (locally /ˈpɒtʃɛfstrʊərm/ POTCH-ef-stroorm;[2] Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˌpɔtʃɛfˈstruəm]), colloquially known as Potch, is an academic city in the North West Province of South Africa.

Some historians challenge this, because the first settlement was in the "upper regions of the Schoon Spruit" (believed to have been between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom).

In October 1840, after a meeting between Potgieter, Andries Pretorius and G. R. van Rooyen, it was decided that Potchefstroom would unite with "Pieter Mouriets Burg" (Pietermaritzburg).

In Article 17 of the Constitution of the ZAR dated 18 February 1858 (which was accepted in Rustenburg), it was stated that "Potchefstroom, located on the Mooi River, would be the capital of the Republic and that Pretoria would be the seat of government".

At the opening of the city hall in 1909, colonial secretary Jan Smuts was asked about the possibility of Potchefstroom becoming capital of the Union.

He replied that the city stood no chance, but should aim to be South Africa's largest educational centre.

[7] Ken McArthur of Potchefstroom won a gold medal at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics in the marathon.

Athletes and professional teams train at the North-West University's High Performance Institute of Sport.

[9] The main rugby field has hosted several Leopards games and the Potchefstroom Campus' Varsity Cup matches.

Noted local athletes include Godfrey Khotso Mokoena, the silver medalist in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, Hezekiél Sepeng, Jorrie Muller, Justine Robbeson and Ryan Diedericks.

The visit of the Spain national football team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup brought a new level of sport to Potchefstroom and the NWU.

Spain, who won their inaugural FIFA World Cup title, chose Potchefstroom as their base camp.

[citation needed] Since the Heritage Resources Act of 1999, monuments are classified as grade I (national), II (provincial) and III (local).

The city plays an important role with the South African National Defence Force, hosting the provincial command headquarters.

[26] The city had an airfield used by the South African Air Force which was closed in budget cuts after the end of apartheid.