Warmbaths / Bela-Bela -  has strong mineral
 springs that flows out of the Earth at a rate of 22 000
 liters of water per hour with a temperature of 52°C this
 water gave rise to the eventual establishment of the
 town of Warmbaths. The water from these springs are
 rich in sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and other
 salts that are highly beneficial to those suffering from
 rheumatic ailments.

 A proclamation of April, 1905, proclaims the extension
 of the boundaries of Warmbaths over the other
 portions of the farm Het Bad and since then the name
 Hartingsburg disappeared. In 1920 Warm Baths was
 re-proclaimed a township and it was not until the 1st
 July 1950, that it had a magisterial district of its own.
 
 In 1932 Warmbaths achieved village town status and
 town council status in 1960. Since then the township
 has made rapid strides. New residential areas sprang
 up, modern business concerns were erected and
 magnificent schools and hotels made their
 appearance.

 Originally the Voortrekker Carl Van Heerden
 established the first farm in this area at the Mineral
 Springs and called it Het Bad, at this time the area in
 and around the mineral springs was a marshland
 where great numbers of wild animals were trapped and
 died in the mud. When the marshes were eventually
 drained, the skeletons of numerous animals including
 elephant were found.

 In 1873 the Honorable President Burger of the then South African Republic (ZAR) that first saw the 
 tourism and recreational opportunities that Het Bad had to offer. He proposed the purchase of the farm to the
 ZAR. The ZAR at first refused the proposal but when President Burger wanted to purchase Het Bad from his
 own funds they accepted the proposal, and so Hartingsburg was born.

 During the Anglo-Boer war the British annexed the small hut that still stood and called it Warm Baths. 
 The British also erected a blockhouse to protect the railway line to Pietersburg and it still stands today.
 Christina Pretorius, wife of the well known General Andries Pretorius  passed away after a bought of flu and
 was buried in Warmbaths, she was brought to Warmbaths in the hope that the mineral waters would restore
 her health. Hartingsburg and Nylstroom would remain declared townships in the district of Waterberg and 
 that the magisterial headquarters would be where the Government deemed it most necessary. This however
 fell to the lot of Nylstroom, for although Erven were sold at Hartingsburg, hardly a soul lived there. The fresh
 water supply was poor - the place was visited by sick persons during 5 months of the year only and in
 addition Nylstroom did everything to maintain itself. Although Hartingsburg was the official name the place
 was commonly called "Warmbaths". In 1903 the British government changed the name of 

 In the year 2002 Warmbaths was officially renamed Bela-Bela (which means the pot that boils) and the
 Northern Province has been renamed the Limpopo Province