| Hartbeesfontein | |
| Official Name: | Lethabong |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa North West#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -26.7622°N 26.4206°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | North West |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | City of Matlosana |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 6.37 |
| Population Total: | 1467 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | White |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 74.8% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 23.3% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 0.4% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 0.9% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.6% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 81.0% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Tswana |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 11.9% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | English |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 3.6% |
| Demographics2 Title4: | Sotho |
| Demographics2 Info4: | 1.6% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 1.9% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 2600 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 2600 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 018 |
Hartbeesfontein, officially Lethabong, is a settlement near Klerksdorp, in the North West province of South Africa. It is situated at the intersection of the R503 and R507 routes.
The town is situated on an ancient geological feature known as the Hartbeesfontein basin (or KOSH basin), which is the source of the gold found on its southern rim. Underground water occurs in abundance in dolomitic aquifers of the region. When the water is however allowed to seep into mines it is oxidised and polluted by the exposed iron pyrites. As of 2005 when Buffelsfontein mine went out of business, it became a burden on the remaining mines to keep the interconnected tunnels free of water.
A small pass above town, Hartebeesfontein Poort, was the scene of a Boer War skirmish on February 17, 1901. The British forces, a contingent of Lord Methuen led by Captain Poison, were descending the 500 ft escarpment above town, when they were confronted by entrenched Boer forces of about double their number. From dawn to 10 o'clock the forces were deadlocked, when Lord Methuen ordered two companies of Major Murray's convoy guard to occupy a strategic position. After some dozens of soldiers were killed on each side, the British secured the pass and captured ample Boer supplies of stock and grain.