The name is probably derived from the biblical word meaning ‘bitter water‘ (Exodus 15:23). This is reference to the very bitter water found in the neighbourhood.
The nearby Mara experimental farm of the Department of Agriculture is where Professor Bonsma developed the Bonsmara breed of cattle, which is so well suited to the climate of the bushveld. He worked as Professor at the University of Pretoria and became world famous for his cattle breeding systems.