Bloemfontein, or “Bloem”, as the locals like to call it, is the capital and the largest city of the Free State province in South Africa.
Situated in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Bloemfontein is also the judicial capital of South Africa, alongside the administrative capital Pretoria and legislative capital Cape Town, although the highest court in South Africa, the Constitutional Court, has been in Johannesburg since 1994.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | Free State |
| Municipality: | Mangaung |
| Established: | 1846 |
| Nickname: | City of Roses |
| Motto: | “Floreat” (“Flourish”) |
| Total Area: | 236.17 km² (91.19 sq mi) |
| Population: | 256,185 (2011) |
| Population Density: | 1,084.7/km² (2,809.5/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 9300 |
| PO Box: | 9301 |
| Area Code: | 051 |
About Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is located in the central South Africa in the Free State province on the southern edge of the Highveld at an elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft), bordering on the semi-arid region of the Karoo.
Bloemfontein is known by several names, such as Mangaung in Sesotho, meaning “place of cheetahs” and ǀʼAuxa ǃXās in ǃOrakobab.
The author of The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, was born in Bloemfontein.
Bloemfontein is served by Bram Fischer International Airport, which is just 10.2 km (a 14-minute drive) from the CBD via the N8 National Route.
The city’s unique in that it is the size and heft of a large African city, yet has the feel of a small country town, with thousands of rose bushes colouring the streets. The literal translation of Bloemfontein from Afrikaans is “fountain of flowers”. This is what makes Bloemfontein famous, the abundance of roses, which gives the city its nickname, “The City of Roses”. Hence, the annual Rose Festival is a popular local event.
Bloemfontein (direct translation: flower fountain) was founded in 1846 as a fort by British army Major Henry Douglas Warden as a British outpost in the area north of the Orange River (Transoranje region). At that stage, the area was occupied by groups such as the Barolong, Cape Colony Trekboers, and Griqua.
The region changed into the Orange River Sovereignty (1848–1854) and the Orange Free State Republic (1854–1902). From 1902 to 1910, Bloemfontein was the capital of the Orange River Colony, and since that time, as the provincial capital of the Free State.
In 1910, Bloemfontein became the Judicial capital of the Union of South Africa. A possible etymology for the city’s name is that it is called Bloemfontein lit. “Bloem’s fountain”, after Jan Bloem II, a Griqua leader.
Today, Bloemfontein is a vibrant city with the heart, caring character, and tranquillity of a big town, is the economic, educational, and medical-care hub for a vast inland area in South Africa and neighbouring Lesotho.
With awesome museums, a great zoo, a casino, amazing architecture, and a city completely encircled by a nature reserve, it’s a fantastic South African city experience.
Bloemfontein is also filled with history, where museums and military buildings remember the Anglo-Boer War (also known as the South African War). In this regard, the city is home to the National Museum and Anglo-Boer War Museum, both of which are highly regarded among historians.
The South African Armour Museum displays tanks, weaponry, and an original military hospital.
Bloemfontein is home to the National Women’s Monument, a Provincial Heritage Site in the Free State. The monument commemorates roughly 27,000 Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Second Boer War.
Overlooking the city is Naval Hill, with a striking white horse marking its slopes. The horse was laid out during the Anglo-Boer War as a landmark for approaching horsemen. Naval Hill is also home to a statue of Nelson Mandela, which is placed to look directly at the birthplace of the ANC in Bloemfontein. It is also home to one of the most advanced planetariums in South Africa, which has undergone a massive refurbishment.
Sure, it may have a dry and dusty appearance, but Bloemfontein is home to the Free State’s only botanical garden – the tropical oasis, Orchid House. If you need to put some spring in your step, colourful flowers are always in bloom at King’s Park, where you can take in the popular monthly art markets and all that they offer.
Visitors to Bloemfontein can also check out the Windmill Casino and the zoo for some brilliant outdoor picnics.
In terms of architecture, Bloemfontein is home to the only twin-spired Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, built in 1880. The city is also home to the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery – a neo-Cape Dutch manor house. Then there’s Freshford House Museum, which brings to life the 1890s. To complete the architecture tour, the magnificent City Hall, the Supreme Court of Appeal, and Fourth Raadsaal buildings are also impressive in their own right.
Beyond the city, the Franklin Nature Reserve is home to a dynamic array of wildlife, and the Cheetah Experience is another must-see.
Bloemfontein is also a cultural melting pot where all forms of art have an opportunity to thrive. It was also a major link in the history and development of modern-day South Africa, with the establishment of two major political organisations, the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912 and the National Party in 1914.
Since 2000, Bloemfontein has formed part of the Mangaung Local Municipality, an amalgamation of the transitional local councils of Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Thaba ‘Nchu, and two rural councils.
Racial makeup
According to the 2011 Census, 56.1% of the population in Bloemfontein describes itself as Black African, 29.8% as White, 12.8% as Coloured, 0.8% as Indian/Asian, and 0.5% as other races.
Languages
According to the 2011 Census, the first language of 42.5% of the population is Afrikaans, while 33.4% speak Sesotho, 9.5% speak Setswana, 7.5% speak English, and 7.1% speak isiXhosa.
Interesting facts about Bloemfontein
- In 1899, Bloemfontein was the site of the Bloemfontein Conference, an attempt to prevent the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War between Britain and the South African Republic.
- In 1912, the African National Congress (ANC) was formed in the city.
- In 1914, the National Party was formed in Bloemfontein.
Suburbs
Bloemfontein suburbs include;
Bain’s Vlei, Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate, Brandwag, Ehrlich Park, Fauna, Fichardt Park, Fleurdal, Gardenia Park, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourier Park, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof, and Willows to the south of the city.
Heidedal to the east and southeast.
To the west of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhoven Park.
To the north, you will find Arboretum, Baysvalley, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park, Panorama Park, and Waverley.
To the north east, you will find Roodewal and Vallombrosa.
The predominantly black suburbs of Bloemfontein are: Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda, Bochabela, JB Mafora, and the most historic Batho, where the Maphikela House (where the African National Congress started) is situated.
To the east of Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba ‘Nchu townships are situated.
