potch

Potch is a term with multiple meanings. In South Africa, “Potch” is a common nickname for the city of Potchefstroom, located in the North West Province. The city is known for its educational institutions, including North-West University, and for its historical role in the region’s development as a farming, commercial, and educational center in the Highveld. Potchefstroom was established in 1838 by Voortrekkers. The name Potchefstroom is Afrikaans for “pot stream” or “pot’s stream”; a widely cited explanation attributes the name to a pot-shaped rock near a river crossing that early settlers used as a landmark.

Potch also denotes a patching material used in ceramics and plasterwork. In pottery and ceramic repair, potch refers to a clay-based paste or slip applied to fill chips, seams, or surface imperfections. It is spread over the defect, smoothed, and allowed to dry before glazing or finishing. Potch can be color-matched or blended with the surrounding surface to create a seamless repair. In broader construction usage, the term can refer to a simple patching plaster or filler used to cover flaws in walls or plastered surfaces, though usage varies by region.