| Stella | |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa North West#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -26.55°N 76°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | North West |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | Naledi |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 9.06 |
| Population Total: | 890 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 32.4% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 2.7% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 1.1% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 62.5% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 1.2% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 75.3% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Tswana |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 17.5% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | English |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 3.6% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 3.6% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 8650 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 8650 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 053 |
Stella is a cattle farming town situated in North West Province of South Africa between Vryburg and Mafikeng.
The large salt pan on the outskirts of town, especially well known for the number of lions in the area, was visited by a number of early European travellers, including David Livingstone and Robert Moffat.[2]
The first white people settled in the area in 1882, and the following year a fight broke out between the baTlhaping and the Korana under David Mossweu. A large number of white mercenaries fought on both sides of the conflict, and when the war ended they were given land to farm in return for their services. Under their leader, Van Niekerk, they proclaimed their area the Republic of Stellaland, after a comet which had been visible while the fighting was going on. Electricity was introduced only in 1973.[2]
The Stella Beesfees (Cattle Festival) is held every year during October. The town has a high school, but this also houses the nursery and primary pupils.