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Free State
The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa with the Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south, this immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see. This central region is characterised by endless rolling prairies of wheat, sunflower and maize fields, and forms the principal bread basket of South Africa.
The capital, Bloemfontein, has a well-established institutional, educational and administrative infrastructure, and houses the Supreme Court of Appeal. The city, also referred to as the City of Roses, is home to some of the province’s many tertiary educational institutions, including the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology.
Province profile
- Some of South Africa’s most valued San rock art is found in the Free State.
- The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the province’s prime tourist attraction.
- Known as the ‘Granary of the Country’, the Free State has cultivated land covering 3,2 million ha.
- The mining industry is the major employer in the Free State.
- Roughly 30% of South Africa’s gold is obtained from this region, and the province qualifies for fifth position as a global producer.
- The Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa National Park is a popular tourist destination.
- An important manufacturing industry in the province can be found in the northern Free State, which is one of the most important chemical hubs in the southern hemisphere.
- It has the deepest wine cellar in the world.
- It boats the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.
The Free State houses more than 2,9 million people on about 129 480 km2 of land (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006). The main languages spoken are Sesotho and Afrikaans.
Important towns include Welkom, the heart of the goldfields and one of the few completely pre-planned cities in the world; Odendaalsrus, another gold-mining town; Sasolburg, which owes its existence to the petrol-from-coal installation established there; Kroonstad, an important agricultural, administrative and educational centre; Parys, on the banks of the Vaal River; Phuthaditjhaba, well-known for the beautiful handcrafted items produced by the local people; and Bethlehem, gateway to the Eastern Highlands of the Free State.
This summer-rainfall region can be extremely cold during the winter months, especially towards the eastern mountainous regions. The western and southern areas are semi-desert.
- Bookmarks:
- Motheo
- Xhariep
- Thabo Mofutsanyana
Lejweleputswa
Motheo
The National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre in Bloemfontein has a repository of works by prominent Afrikaans authors. Exhibits in the Afrikaans Music Museum and the Theatre Museum (part of the centre) include old musical instruments, sheet music, costumes, photographs and furniture.
The national museum is notable for its wide collection of fossils, cultural-historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull, which was discovered in the 1930s at the Florisbad Spring, about 50 km north of Bloemfontein.
The National Women’s Memorial is a sandstone obelisk, 36,5 m high, which commemorates the women and children who died in concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer/South African War from 1899 to 1902. The research library contains an extensive collection of Africana.
Bloemfontein has a busy cultural and social-events calendar. One of the annual events not to be missed is the Mangaung African Cultural Festival, popularly known as the Macufe Arts Festival, in September.
Botshabelo (Place of Refuge), 45 km from Bloemfontein on the N8 road to Lesotho, is believed to be the largest township settlement in the Free State – and the second-largest in South Africa after Soweto.
Nearby, the town of Thaba Nchu features luxury hotels and a casino, with the Maria Moroka Nature Reserve surrounding Thaba Nchu Sun and the Setlogelo Dam.
Xhariep
The Gariep Dam, more than 100 km long and 15 km wide, is part of the Orange River Water Scheme, the largest inland expanse of water in South Africa. Situated between the dam and Bethulie lies the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve.
Philippolis, the oldest town in the Free State, was founded as a London Missionary Society station in 1824. It was the first mission station in the province.
Thabo Mofutsanyana
With its beautiful snow-capped mountains providing a backdrop to numerous romantic hide-aways, this untouched, pristine area with its breathtaking scenery possesses grandeur of majestic proportion.
The Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa Nature Reserve is a living museum where visitors can witness the Sotho traditions and lifestyle in the chief’s kraal.
Clarens is often described as the ‘Jewel of the Free State’, owing to its spectacular scenery. San paintings are found on farms in the area. Close by, the Highlands Route meanders along the foothills of the Maluti mountains. One can also explore the magnificent mountain scenery by bike. The town offers art excursions and painting getaways and has 14 art galleries.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park, known for its beautiful scenery, is a very popular holiday destination. A vulture restaurant enables visitors to observe these scavengers closely. San paintings can also be viewed.
The Highlands Route follows the Lesotho border via Ladybrand and ends at Zastron in the south. San caves and rock art are some of the main features of the route. The birdwatching mecca of Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near Memel constitutes a wetland with Ramsar status, and is surrounded by private game and holiday farms.
Lejweleputswa region
Van Reenen’s Pass winds through the Drakensberg, and was originally used by migrating herds of zebra, hartebeest, blesbok and wildebeest. The Llandaff Oratory in the nearby village of Van Reenen is believed to be the smallest Roman Catholic Church in the world.
At Harrismith, there are various memorials in honour of those who fought in the Anglo-Boer/South African War and World War I. Of particular interest is a memorial for the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards.
The QwaQwa district is a traditional home to the Basotho people. Karakul carpets, mohair, wall hangings, copper, glassware and brass are made and sold at Phuthaditjhaba. The Metsi Matsho and Fika Patso dams are renowned for trout fishing.
Welkom is known for its gold mines. It is also the only city in the country where traffic circles are used instead of traffic lights.
The world’s deepest wine cellar is at the St Helena Mine which is 857 m below the Earth’s surface.
Bothaville is regarded as the centre of the Free State Maize Route. The Nampo Harvest Farm and Festival attracts more than 20 000 visitors each year and is the second-largest private agricultural show in the world. Bothaville also hosts the annual Food and Witblits Festival, drawing visitors from all over South Africa.
The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site was caused by the collision of a meteorite with the Earth many years ago. It features unique fauna and flora, including 100 different plant species, more than 300 types of birds and a variety of small mammals. Various hiking and mountain-bike trails are also on offer.
Contact details
Free State Provincial Government
Private Bag 20538, Bloemfontein, 9300
Lebohang Building, 4th Floor, cnr St Andrews and Markgraaf streets, Bloemfontein
Tel: (051) 405 5799
Fax: (051) 405 4803
Website: http://www.fs.gov.za/
Free State Tourism
http://www.dteea.fs.gov.za/