Boshof is a farming town situated on R64 Provincial Route in the west region of the Free State province of South Africa.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | Free State |
| District: | Lejweleputswa |
| Municipality: | Tokologo |
| Established: | 1856 |
| Named After: | Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff |
| Total Area: | 91.7 km² (35.4 sq mi) |
| Population: | 8,509 (2011) |
| Population Density: | 92.8/km² (240/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 8340 |
| PO Box: | 8340 |
| Area Code: | 053 |
About Boshof
Boshof is located approximately 122 km to the north-west of Bloemfontein (the Provincial Capital) and 54 km to the north-east of Kimberley (capital of the Northern Cape province), along the R64 (old Bloemfontein/Kimberley Road).
Boshof is the administrative seat of the Tokologo Local Municipality.
The town comprises of three main areas, namely Boshof, Seretse, and Kareehof. Temperature in the area varies from -5°C to 38°C and rainfall averages 450 mm per annum.
This town is situated in lush and picturesque surroundings and is known for its mixed farming practices.
The Poplar Grove Battelefield site is situated close to town. Folk dancing originated from Boshof. The town’s first school, Rooidak School, is still in use today.
The primary economic activities in Boshof are mainly agricultural and livestock farming, game farming and crop farming. Industrial activities in Boshof include an abattoir, two scrapyards, a bottling company, engineering works and steelworks.
Boshof offers tourists the chance to experience some historical attractions as well as outdoor activities. The Boshof Nature Reserve will keep the whole family entertained. It has many species of antelope and other wildlife inhabiting its grounds.
Other attractions in Boshof include the following:
- San Rock Artwork
- Folk Dancing Monument
- Chris van Niekerk Museum
- Voortrekker Monument (Great Trek of 1838)
- Gunpowder House (Anglo-Boer War)
Some of the well-known personalities from Boshof are Solomon Tsekisho Plaatje, famously known as Sol Plaatje, one of the founder members of the African National Congress in 1912. He was born in Boshof in 1876. Dirk du Toit, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs was born in Boshof on 19 September 1943.
History
The town of Boshof was established in 1856 by Dr. Andrew Murray on the farm Vanwyksvlei that was purchased from a Griqua, Dawid Danster, by a farmer, D.S Fourie, in 1839 and sold to the Dutch Reformed Church Church in 1855.
The town was named after Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff (1808-1881), the 2nd President of the Orange Free State (1855–59) and founder of its civil service, who agreed to act as godfather for the town, hence the name Boshof. The town was granted municipality status in 1872.
