A record of 0.5 Ga of evolution of the continental crust along the northern edge of the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa: Consequences for the understanding of Archean geodynamic processes.

•A new geodynamic model for the northern Kaapvaal craton is proposed.•This geodynamic integrates the southern edge of the Limpopo Complex.•This features an Archean protracted (>200 Ma-long) magmatic event.•The whole geodynamic is interpreted as an accretionary orogen.