Small town in South Africa up for sale

·17 Apr 2026

The town of Middelpos in the Northern Cape is going on auction, offering a buyer the chance to own an authentic Karoo village.

The town of Middelpos is close to the Tankwa Karoo National Park and is situated halfway between Sutherland and Calvinia on the R354 in the Upper Karoo of the Northern Cape.

Home & Hectare said that the town is considered one of the few remaining authentic Karoo villages in South Africa.

“With its tranquil, enchanting atmosphere, original character and charm, it retains the cultural heritage of long ago, untouched by modern mass tourism,” said Home & Hectare.

It added that the 103,260-hectare property has significant potential for development in business, residential, manufacturing, tourism, and other mixed uses.

Middelpos is an established halfway station for Karoo visitors and the farms in the area. As the closest town to the Tankwa Karoo National Park, it has a constant stream of day visitors and overnight tourists.

Infrastructure and amenities at the town include:

Hotel
Shop
Factory building
Three dwellings in good condition
Hall
Old post office
Strong borehole
Irrigable land (4.75 ha)

Bidding at the timed auction opens on 21 May 2026 @ 12:00 and closes on 22 May 2026 @ 12:00.

Middelpos was built on a trading store established by Daniel Tomlinson after buying part of the farm Stinkkuil from a local farmer in 1860.

After his death, the Sher family, of Jewish Lithuanian roots, purchased the store and serviced the surrounding areas of the Tankwa Karoo, Sutherland, Calvinia, and Williston.

The Sher family’s descendants include actor Sir Anthony Sher KBE, who would be knighted in the UK.

Despite leaving South Africa for the UK in 1968, Sher would write the book, Middlepost, which deals with the experiences of Lithuanian Jews in South Africa.