Winburg is a small mixed farming town situated at the intersection of the N1, N8, and R708 roads in the Free State province of South Africa.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | Free State |
| District: | Lejweleputswa |
| Municipality: | Masilonyana |
| Established: | 1837 |
| Total Area: | 63.5 km² (24.5 sq mi) |
| Population: | 1,373 (2011) |
| Population Density: | 21.6/km² (56.0/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 9420 |
| PO Box: | 9420 |
| Area Code: | 051 |
About Winburg
Winburg lies just across the Laaispruit River alongside the N1 National Route (which goes north to Johannesburg and south to Bloemfontein and Cape Town) where it merges with the N5 National Route (which goes east to Qwa Qwa and Harrismith). The nearest city, Bloemfontein, is 112 km away to the south-west.
Winburg is the oldest proclaimed town (1837) in the Orange Free State, South Africa and along with Griekwastad, is one of the oldest settlements in South Africa located north of the Orange River.
Hugged by a few little koppies and shrub trees, the town is described by its residents as something of a ghost town, with little to recommend it other than a few memorials and the dilapidated remnants of the stone huts that housed the areas very first inhabitants.
Winburg was built on land exchanged for a few head of cattle between Andries Pretorius and Bataung Chief Makwana, but this led to a dispute.
The name Winburg, originally spelt Wenburg, means “town of winning”. This may refer to a military victory over the Matebele at Mosega on 17 January 1837, or to the triumph of the protagonists of Waaifontein as site of the town.
Winburg remains a predominantly farming community (between here and Senekal there are fields of sunflowers in season, usually around Febuary and March), frequented by local farmers who come into town to use the banks, local shops and petrol stations.
There are a couple of reasons to take the turnoff into town. The Fords historic hotel has a dining hall used by the Voortrekkers, the cemetery in town is the oldest Voortrekker cemetery in South Africa, and the Dutch Reformed Church is built out of sandstone and particularly beautiful. There is a Garden of Rememberance is a beautifully landscaped garden honouring the Voortrekkers of the Great Trek, and a Voortrekker Monument in town too.
But do not expect to find a coffee shop or other touristy attractions. A detour through Winburg is principally to assuage your thirst for historical monuments and old buildings.
