Rosendal is a small farming and picturesque town located at the foot of the Witteberg mountain range on the R70 Provincial Route in the Free State province of South Africa.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | Free State |
| District: | Thabo Mofutsanyana |
| Municipality: | Dihlabeng |
| Established: | 1908 |
| Total Area: | 8.5 km² (3.3 sq mi) |
| Population: | 4,132 (2011) |
| Population Density: | 490/km² (1,300/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 9720 |
| PO Box: | 9720 |
| Area Code: | 058 |
About Rosendal
Rosendal was established in 1908 to provide easy access to a school, post office and other essential facilities, to the dairy farmers in the area.
The town is situated 44 km north-east of Ficksburg and 216 km north-east of Bloemfontein (the Provincial Captial) in a valley surrounded by the Witteberg that forms part of the Drakensberg range.
This beautiful town has a population of close to 5,000 residents and the majority of them speak Afrikaans.
Rosendal is on average 2,408 metres above sea level. Winters are bitterly cold with severe frost and occasional snowfalls. Summers are mild and cool with temperatures rarely above 30°C. Summer rainfall are normally high, and showers also occur during the winter months. The area are known for heavy rainfall, windy conditions, hail storms and fog.
The mountains add to the natural beauty of the area. Quite a few peaks can be seen from town, “Swartkrans” is the third highest peak in the Free State. The mountains were formed 2 million years ago with lava being deposited over the Tafelberg sandstone deposit. The lava is up to 500m thick in places. The lava is deposited in layers – evidence of eruptions taking place periodically. Rooikraans is an example of red Molento sandstone in the Tafelberg deposit. The deposits consist mainly of dolerites. The geological beauty of the mountains is one of the main attractions to the Eastern Free State
As you explore this region of scenic tapestries, which change dramatically with each season, the beauty and tranquility that surrounds you is palpable and almost overwhelming. Majestic mountains with sandstone cliffs, fertile valleys of crops that stretch as far as the eye can see, fields of Cosmos and the golden yellow hues of Sunflowers, are just a few of the enchanting sights that are waiting to greet you, but there is so much more.
Battle sites and memorials left over from bygone wars, ancient fossil footprints from a prehistoric era, a wealth of art and craft and the renowned Golden Gate National Park make the Eastern Free State an exceptional destination to explore.
The Eastern Free State is home to the peaceful and music loving Basotho people who have lived here close to nature for generations. They have a deep appreciation for the environment and take the distinctive shape of their traditional headgear from the nearby hills. A unique and distinctive feature of each town is the sandstone churches, which have been beautifully crafted from hand hewn blocks taken from the nearby cliffs.
