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Motheo Region, Free State:
Motheo is the Sesotho for “foundation” and is derived from the geographic
positioning at the heart of the economic and industrial development of the Free State.
Three municipalities fall within the jurisdiction of the Motheo Region: Mangaug, Mantsopa
and Naledi ... |
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Bloemfontein: Bloemfontein
can be viewed from the top of Naval Hill, where one also come across wildlife in the
Franklin Game Reserve, the only reserve of its kind in the world completely surrounded by
a city. Bloemfontein offers upmarket shopping centres, hundreds of restaurants and a host
of nightlife opportunities. The streets of Bloemfontein are lined with magnificent
sandstone architecture especially President Brand Street, which is well worth a walk down.
There are many impressive museums and monuments - one of which is the national Women's
Memorial commemorating the 27 000 women and children who perished during the Anglo-Boer
War 1899-1902. A little later in history the ANC was formed in 1912 in the Mangaung
township of Batho, while the Nationalist Party was founded in Bloemfontein in 1914.
Bloemfontein has a busy cultural and social events calendar. One of the annual events not
to be missed, is the Macufe Festival in September, a cultural eisteddfod of storytelling,
poetry, art, music and dance. In terms of arts and entertainment, Bloemfontein offers the
world-class Sand du Plessis Theatre. This draws nationally acclaimed events and artist
performances. Close to it, one can enjoy meals at Loch Logan Waterfront at one of the
exquisite restaurants. This Waterfront has a permanent flea market which offers the best
craft found from this region. Meanwhile, for a true African ghetto experience, visit the
historical township jazz performances. Today Mangaung Municipality covers Bloemfontein,
Botshabelo. |
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Botshabelo:
45km from Bloemfontein on the N8 road to Lesotho it is the largest township settlement in
the Free State and the second largest in South Africa after Soweto. Botshabelo contains a
massive industrial complex comprising 240 000 m² of floor space, currently 100% occupied
by a total of 154 factories. |
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Hobhouse:
On the southernmost tip of the Eastern Free State region lies Hobhouse, named after the
British girl who became a Boer heroine. Emily Hobhouse visited the war-torn South Africa
during the Anglo Boer War and was appalled at the conditions in the concentration camps.
She promptly started nursing and welfare services amongst the Boer women. So dedicated was
this staunch suffragette that she called off her engagement. Her wedding veil hangs in the
Head Office of the "Oranje Vrouevereniging" in Bloemfontein, the first women's
welfare organisation in the Free State. The town lies close to the Caledon River, 56
kilometres south of Ladybrand. |
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Thaba'Nchu:
Thaba'Nchu, one of the oldest settlements in the Free State is situated below the famous
Thaba Nchu mountain (place of execution) 65 km east of Bloemfontein. The neighbouring area
Selosesha has grown considerably after the region was declared an industrial growth point
in the 1980's. With an estimated urban population of 30 000, Thaba Nchu has a strategic
location adjacent to the road between Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Ladybrand and Maseru, the
capital of Lesotho. |
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Text courtesy of
SA-Venues.com |
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• Free State accommodation by Town:
• Bethlehem • Bloemfontein
• Clarens • Clocolan
• Deneysville • Ficksburg
• Fouriesburg
• Gariep Dam • Harrismith
• Kroonstad • Parys
• Philippolis • Smithfield
• Springfontein
• Van Reenen • Welkom
• Wesselsbron |
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