Philippolis is a small town in the Free State province of South Africa.
Philippolis serves a general agricultural service centre within the Kopanong Local Municipality and is situated approximately 53 km south-west of Trompsburg. Access to the town is gained from the R48 route between Koffiefontein and De Aar.
The main social and economic function of the town is to serve as;
- Key regional tourist destination
- Secondary agricultural service centre
- Social functions such as residence, education and medical services
Phillipolis is the oldest town in the Free State. Philippolis was first established in 1823 as a mission station of the London Missionary Society for San/Khoi-Khoi (later to be known as Griquas) people.
It is the oldest settlement in the Free State. Adam Kok, the famous Griqua leader, and his people settled in the area in 1826 and he was subsequently appointed protector of the mission. When the government of the Orange Free State bought the land, Adam Kok and his people left to start a new life in Griqualand East. Dr. John Philip was the London Missionary Society’s representative, hence the name of the town that was later established here.
The renowned author, Laurens van der Post, who grew up in this town, described the area with its vast open spaces as “puritanical hills guarding secret water, so that it appears totally unpeopled.”
