Bloemfontein

For other uses, seeBloemfontein (disambiguation).

"Mangaung" and "Bloem" redirect here. For the surname and given name, seeBloem (name).For the Municipality, seeMangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

Bloemfontein Mangaung(Sesotho) ǀʼAuxa ǃXās(ǃOrakobab)
Capital city(judicial branch)
Skyline of Bloemfontein Supreme Court of Appeal Bloemfontein City Hall National Women's MonumentObelisk Fourth Raadsaal National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre Replica of theEiffel Tower University of the Free State Bloemfontein CBD
Coat of arms
Nickname: City of Roses
Motto: "Floreat" ( "Flourish" )
Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein
Coordinates:29°07′S26°13′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Free State
Municipality	Mangaung
Established	1846
Government
• Type	Metropolitan municipality
• Mayor	Vacant
Area
•Capital city(judicial branch)	236.17 km2(91.19 sq mi)
• Metro	6,283.99 km2(2,426.26 sq mi)
Elevation	1,395 m (4,577 ft)
Population (2011)
•Capital city(judicial branch)	256,185
• Density	1,100/km2(2,800/sq mi)
•Metro	747,431
• Metro density	120/km2(310/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
•Black	56.1%
•Coloured	12.8%
•Indian/Asian	0.8%
•White	29.8%
• Other	0.5%
First languages(2011)
•Afrikaans	42.5%
•Sotho	33.4%
•English	7.5%
•Xhosa	7.1%
•Tswana	9.5%
Time zone	UTC+2(SAST)
Postal code(street)	9300
PO box	9301
Area code	051
HDI(2012)	0.860 very high
Water Hardness	Level 3 (average)
Website	mangaung.co.za

Bloemfontein(/ˈbluːmfɒnteɪn/BLOOM-fon-tayn;Afrikaans:[ˈblumfɔntɛin]), also known asBloem,is the capital and the largest city of theFree Stateprovince inSouth Africa.It is often, and has been traditionally, referred to as the country's "judicial capital", alongside thelegislativecapitalCape TownandadministrativecapitalPretoria,although the highest court in South Africa, theConstitutional Court,has been inJohannesburgsince 1994.

Situated at an elevation of 1,395 m (4,577 ft) above sea level, the city is home to 256,185 (as of 2011)residents and forms part of theMangaung Metropolitan Municipalitywhich has a population of 747,431.It was one of the host cities for the2010 FIFA World Cup.

The city of Bloemfontein hosts theSupreme Court of Appeal,the Franklin Game Reserve,Naval Hill,theMaselspoort Resortand theSand du Plessis Theatre.The city hosts numerous museums, including theNational Women's Monument,theAnglo-Boer War Museum,theNational Museum,and theOliewenhuis Art Museum.Bloemfontein also hosts the first digital planetarium in the southern hemisphere, the Naval Hill Planetarium, andBoyden Observatory,an astronomical research observatory.

Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses" for its abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. The city is situated in the middle of the country; hence it is referred to as "Central South Africa".The city'sSesothoname isMangaung,meaning "place ofcheetahs".

History

Early history

Though historically a!OranaandBarolongsettlement, and then aBoersettlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846 as a fort byBritish ArmymajorHenry Douglas Wardenas a British outpost in the Transoranje region, at that stage occupied by various groups of peoples including!Orana (so-called "Korana" of the ǀHõaǁʼaes, ǀHũdiǁʼaes, Einiǁʼaes, and others),Cape ColonyTrek Boers,Griqua(at that time known as "Baasters" ) andBarolong.

Warden initially chose the site primarily because of its proximity to the main route toWinburg,the spacious open country, and the absence ofhorse sickness.Bloemfontein was the original farm of Johannes Nicolaas Brits, born on 21 February 1790, owner and first inhabitant of Bloemfontein. Johann – as he was known – sold the farm to Major Warden.

With colonial policy shifts, the region changed into theOrange River Sovereignty(1848–1854) and eventually theOrange Free StateRepublic (1854–1902). From 1902 to 1910, it served as the capital of theOrange River Colonyand since that time as the provincial capital of theFree State.In 1910, it became the Judicial capital of theUnion of South Africa.A possible etymology for the city's name is that it is called Bloemfonteinlit."Bloem's fountain", after Jan Bloem II, a Griqua leader.

Orange Free State (1854–1902)

Early 20th century photo of a statue of the 19th century PresidentJohannes Brandof theOrange Free State

TheOrange Free Statewas an independentBoer Republicinsouthern Africaduring the second half of the 19th century. Extending between theOrangeandVaalrivers, its borders were determined by theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandin 1848 when the region was proclaimed as theOrange River Sovereignty,with a seat of aBritish Residentin Bloemfontein.

As the capital of the Orange Free State Republic, the growth and maturing of the republic resulted in the development of Bloemfontein. The city constructed numerous public buildings that remain in use today, facilitated by the republic's governance and compensation from the British for the loss of the diamond-richGriqua Landarea.The old Orange Free State's presidential residence, theOld Presidency,is currently a museum and cultural space in the city.

A railway line was built in 1890 connecting Bloemfontein toCape Town.The railway line provided a centrally locatedrailway stationand proved critical to the British in occupying the city later.

The writerJ. R. R. Tolkienwas born in the city on 3 January 1892. However, his family leftOrange Free State(nowFree State province,South Africa) following the death of his father,Arthur Tolkien,when Tolkien was three (1895).He recorded that his earliest memories were of "a hot country".

In 1899, the city was the site of theBloemfontein Conference,which failed to prevent the outbreak of theSecond Boer War.The conference was a final attempt to avert a war between Britain and theSouth African Republic,and its failure set the stage for war, which broke out on 11 October 1899.

On 13 March 1900, following theBattle of Paardeberg,the British captured the city and built aconcentration campnearby to houseBoerwomen and children. In 1913, theNational Women's Monumentwas constructed on the outskirts of the city to commemorate all Boer civilians who died in concentration camps during the war.

The hill in town was named Naval Hill after thenaval gunsbrought in by the British to fortify the position against attack.

Unionisation of South Africa (1910s)

On 31 May 1910, exactly eight years after the Boers signed thePeace Treaty of Vereenigingthat ended the Anglo-Boer War between theBritish Empireand twoBoerstates,theSouth African Republic(Republic of Transvaal) and theOrange Free State,South Africa became a Union.

Due to disagreements over where the Union's capital should be, a compromise was reached that allowed Bloemfontein to hostAppellate Divisionand become the Union's judicial capital.Bloemfontein was also given financial compensation.

On 8 January 1912, theSouth African Native National Congress(SANNC) was founded in Bloemfontein. The Union of South Africa had not granted rights to black South Africans, causing the organisation's creation. Its primary aim was to fight for the rights of black South Africans.During the implementation ofpass laws,the city saw major demonstrations that forced South African authorities to exempt women from them for nearly four decades.

From 1 to 9 January 1914,James Barry Munnik Hertzogand his supporters met in Bloemfontein to form theNational Party of the Orange Free State,and to lay down its principles, following Hertzog's exit from theSouth African Partyin 1913.The National Party grew to govern South Africa in 1948 and implement the policy ofracial segregationknown asapartheid.

Apartheid era (1948–1994)

When the National Party won the1948 South African national government elections,they began implementing the policy known asapartheid.The policy was built on separate development of ethnic groups, and racial segregation was enforced. In Bloemfontein, residential segregation had begun in the 19th century with the passing of Ordinance 1 of 1860, which determined that no non-white, without written permission from the landlord (British government), had the right to occupy urban land in towns where local municipalities did not yet exist. On 3 June 1861, the council demarcated three locations in the following areas; the black population was to move to the area that lay to the right of a neighbourhood that was known as Kaffirfontein, Coloureds were to move to theWaaihoekBlack residential area on the eastern outskirts of the town. The inhabitants of these settlements had to pay the so-called hut tax and grazing rights tax.This laid the foundation for the implementation of residential urban segregation as envisaged by the architects of apartheid.

When theSouth Africanapartheidgovernment passed theGroup Areas Actof 1950, the Bloemfontein municipality put into effect changes in the racial set-up of the city. The municipality demolished the Cape Stands residential area, which was occupied by the city'scoloured population,and moved the residents toHeidedal.However, due to Coloureds living in such proximity to black people,intermarriages across racial linesoccurred, resulting in a partially mixed population inHeidedalandMangaung.In 1952, the Bloemfontein municipality began building new residential areas for the city's black population. New residential areas to separate ethnic groups such asSotho,XhosaandTswanawere formed. The residential areas were jointly known as Mangaung.Phahameng, aSothotownship, was the first formal housing projects to be approved by the municipality in 1956. Physical buffers such as the railway line and roads were put into place to separate black ethnic groups, the white and coloured population. Eleven thousand housing structures, of which approximately 6,000 were government-built rental accommodations, were erected in Mangaung between 1952 and 1968.

In 1968, Mangaung faced severe housing shortages when as many as 3,000 to 6,000 housing units were needed. To counter this problem, a 55 km eastward expansion calledBotshabelowas added in 1979. The Bloemfontein municipality channelled off all black urbanisation toThaba Nchuand Botshabelo, which were developed as a source of cheap labour for the city of Bloemfontein. A subsidised bus service was established, and Botshabelo was declared a decentralisation point, meaning it was designated to become an industrial development point to reduce the distance between the place of employment and the place of residence.

In 1988, approximately 14,500 people were commuting daily betweenBotshabeloand Bloemfontein. This meant that 55% of Botshabelo's workforce was employed outside the city.In 1994, after the disestablishment of the apartheid government, Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu became part ofMotheo District Municipality.TheMotheo District Municipalitywas disestablished on 18 May 2011, and Mangaung was upgraded to become an autonomous metropolitan municipality with Bloemfontein as the main seat.

Since 1994

Until 1994, the city was South Africa's sole judicial capital. It remains the seat for theSupreme Court of Appeal(formerly the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court). The city is also an administrative centre with many private hospitals and educational institutions.

Government

Free State Provincial Government building Bloemfontein forms part of theMangaung Metropolitan Municipality,which was upgraded from aLocal Municipalityin 2011.

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality elects a municipal council for five-year periods through amixed-member proportional representation (MMP)system in which wards elect individual councillors alongside those named from party lists. Voters get two votes: one for a representative to become a ward councillor and the other for a political party. The latter vote distributes seats in the municipal council amongst parties, while the former distributes seats through the individual representatives.

Geography and climate

Bloemfontein
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D 83 31 15 111 30 15 72 28 12 56 24 7 17 21 2 12 18 −2 8 18 −2 15 21 0 24 25 5 43 27 9 58 29 11 60 31 14 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █Precipitation totals in mm Source: SAWS
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 3.3 88 59 4.4 86 59 2.8 82 54 2.2 75 45 0.7 70 36 0.5 64 28 0.3 64 28 0.6 70 32 0.9 77 41 1.7 81 48 2.3 84 52 2.4 88 57 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █Precipitation totals in inches

Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa on the southern edge of theHighveldat an elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft), bordering on the semi-arid region of theKaroo.The area is generally flat with occasional hills ( "koppies" inAfrikaans), and the general vegetation isHighveldgrassland.

Bloemfontein experiences aCold Semi-arid climate(KöppenBSk), with hot summer days and cold, dry winters. Rainfall usually arrives in the summer months, often in the form of dramatic but short-lived afternoon/evening thunderstorms that serve as a temporary relief from the heat. The city tends to be dry and dusty in winter with freezing nights and mostly mild, sunny days. Frost is very common but snow is rare. Snowfall was reported in August 2006 with snowfalls occurring again at the airport on 26 July 2007. As recently as August 2020 and July 2021 very light snow fell across the city with heavier snowfall on 4 June 2024. In addition, the city's highland elevation allows for exceptional temperature diurnal of about 15-20°C (27-36°F)

Climate data for Bloemfontein (1991−2020)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	39.3 (102.7)	38.9 (102.0)	34.7 (94.5)	33.3 (91.9)	29.5 (85.1)	24.5 (76.1)	24.1 (75.4)	28.6 (83.5)	33.6 (92.5)	34.8 (94.6)	36.6 (97.9)	37.7 (99.9)	39.3 (102.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30.8 (87.4)	29.8 (85.6)	27.9 (82.2)	24.2 (75.6)	21.3 (70.3)	18.1 (64.6)	18.2 (64.8)	20.9 (69.6)	25.2 (77.4)	27.4 (81.3)	28.8 (83.8)	30.5 (86.9)	25.2 (77.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	22.9 (73.2)	22.2 (72.0)	20.0 (68.0)	15.8 (60.4)	11.8 (53.2)	8.2 (46.8)	7.9 (46.2)	10.7 (51.3)	14.9 (58.8)	18.3 (64.9)	20.1 (68.2)	22.2 (72.0)	16.2 (61.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	15.1 (59.2)	14.6 (58.3)	12.1 (53.8)	7.3 (45.1)	2.2 (36.0)	−1.7 (28.9)	−2.3 (27.9)	0.4 (32.7)	4.7 (40.5)	9.1 (48.4)	11.4 (52.5)	13.8 (56.8)	7.2 (45.0)
Record low °C (°F)	5.6 (42.1)	4.3 (39.7)	0.8 (33.4)	−2.6 (27.3)	−8.7 (16.3)	−9.1 (15.6)	−9.6 (14.7)	−9.7 (14.5)	−6.7 (19.9)	−2.9 (26.8)	−0.1 (31.8)	3.3 (37.9)	−9.7 (14.5)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches)	91.8 (3.61)	83.1 (3.27)	77.0 (3.03)	43.6 (1.72)	19.0 (0.75)	12.5 (0.49)	5.3 (0.21)	9.9 (0.39)	11.6 (0.46)	45.5 (1.79)	64.8 (2.55)	71.3 (2.81)	535.2 (21.07)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm)	8.9	7.8	7.2	5.2	2.4	1.4	0.7	1.3	1.6	4.6	5.8	7.5	54.5
Averagerelative humidity(%)	55	62	64	66	62	62	57	50	46	50	52	52	57
Mean monthlysunshine hours	287.1	247.1	257.4	244.6	257.3	239.9	265.9	282.3	273.7	286.1	289.7	291.6	3,222.8
Source 1: NOAA (humidity 1961-1990)
Source 2: South African Weather Service (precipitation)

Suburbs

A dust storm envelops Bloemfontein

View of the Hamilton industrial area in Bloemfontein

ReplicaEiffel Towerin an industrial area next to Batho

Bloemfontein suburbs includeHeidedalto the east and southeast,Bain's Vlei,Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate,Brandwag,Ehrlich Park,Fauna,Fichardt Park,Fleurdal,Gardenia Park,Generaal De Wet,Hospitaalpark,Kiepersol,Lourier Park,Park West,Pellissier,Uitsig,Universitas,Westdene,WilgehofandWillowsto the south of the city. In the centre isBloemfontein Central.To the west of Bloemfontein, you will findLangenhoven Park.To the north you will findArboretum,Baysvalley,Bayswater,Dan Pienaar,Helicon Heights,Heuwelsig,Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton,Naval Hill,Navalsig,Noordhoek,Pentagon Park, Panorama Park, andWaverley.To the northeast, you will find Roodewal and Vallombrosa. The predominantly black suburbs are Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda, Bochabela, JB Mafora, and the most historic Batho, where the Maphikela House (where the African National Congress started) is situated.

Sports

Stadium

Free State Stadium

TheFree State Stadiumand the surroundingsports complexare the primary sports venues in the city and province. The venue was the hosting stadium of the2010 FIFA World CupSouth Africa matches played in Bloemfontein. There are several othersports venuesin the city, however, including facilities belonging to the university, schools and sports clubs. Other stadiums in the city areMangaung Oval,Dr. Petrus Molemela StadiumandClive Solomons Stadium.

Football

Bloemfontein is a joint home (together with nearbyBotshabelo) toPremier Soccer LeagueteamBloemfontein Celtic.Some of the matches of the2010 FIFA World Cupwere played at the Free State Stadium, including the historic 4–1 defeat of England by Germany in theround of 16

Rugby

Bloemfontein'sFree State Stadiumis home to tworugby unionteams; theCheetahswho compete in thePro 14and theFree State Cheetahswho play in the domesticCurrie Cup.The Free State Cheetahs won the Currie Cup in 2005 against theBlue Bulls;they drew the final with the Blue Bulls in 2006 and retained the Currie Cup title in 2007 by beating theGolden Lions,resulting in the Cheetahs remaining Currie Cup champions until 2008 when the failed to make the final for the first time since 2004. 2009 saw the Cheetahs return to the Currie Cup final, but they could not beat the Blue Bulls atLoftus Versfeld.In 2016, the Cheetahs won the Currie Cup after a perfect season, beating the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.

Cricket

TheKnights cricket teamrepresenting the Free State and Northern Cape in various series is located atMangaung Oval,part of the Free State Stadium complex. Bloemfontein features as a regular venue for touring international and local cricket teams.

Soaring

The town has one of the most activesoaringcommunities in South Africa and the world, using theNew Tempe Airport,north of Bloemfontein.

Motor sports

Bloemfontein has amotocrosstrack (tempe) run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club, as well as ago-kartcircuit (M&F Raceway), which was closed down in early 2015.

Shooting sports

Bloemfontein has a comprehensive shooting centre 20 km (12 mi) south of the city, offering most forms of shooting, including various clay target, pistol, and rifle disciplines. Bloemfontein's shooting sports community has produced many provincial and national representatives.

Metallic Silhouette Shooting

Bloemfontein's Metallic Silhouette Shooting Range is one of the topmetallic silhouetteshooting rangesin the world. ThreeIMSSUinternational championships have been held here:

BMSSKmetallic silhouetteshooting range,2010

• 2004 6th IMSSU World Championships
• 2006 7th IMSSU World Championships
• 2016 12th IMSSU World Championships

Rock climbing

Bloemfontein has two rock climbing clubs with a wall and boulder cave.

Rose Festival

Every year Bloemfontein, the 'City of Roses', celebrates the 'Bloemfontein Rose Festival', also known as the 'Mangaung Rose Festival', in October—the cool month in which roses in the Free State bloom best.The majority of the events happen at the Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein.The festival attracts rose enthusiasts from all over South Africa and the world to participate in and experience this grand showcase of roses and other local events and attractions.The festival has made Bloemfontein a popular tourist destination with thousands of people attending the festival annually.

History of the Rose Festival

The first rose festival occurred in 1976, when council members decided that hosting such a festival was appropriate, given the area's name. In 1976, the events spanned over a few days and included activities related to roses in theSanlamPlaza. Since then, the rose festival has expanded and grown to meet the needs and interests of the public.

Activities

Horticulturalistsare invited to participate in competitions to design and improve unkempt gardens around the city. Festival activities occur in private gardens all over Bloemfontein as city residents open their gardens to the general public.

Loch Logan Waterfront

Most festival activities occur at the Loch Logan Waterfront, the largest shopping centre in central South Africa. It spans about 80 000 m²of space and is the hub of shopping, entertainment, sport, and culture in Bloemfontein.The waterfront displays flowers created by local nurseries as well as the official municipal display created by the parks department, which the Mangaung Municipality organises.The Free State Rose Society's champion Rose Cut Competition, with approximately 700 entrants every year, is also hosted at the Waterfront, along with the Miss Volksblad Rosebud competition for girls aged 3–4 years old, organised in conjunction with theVolksbladdaily newspaper.

Rose Morning High Tea

The Rose Morning High Tea usually occurs at the Urth Garden Centre, where tea and treats are served. The Urth Garden Centre is a retail and wholesale nursery that is located on Kenneth Kaunda Road in Bloemfontein.The crowning of the King and Mangaung in the year of nomination.

Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour

The Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour is a road race that takes place during the festival every year. The event is organised by AfriCycle Tours, and the dates are announced annually. The race starts at the Urth, and the race distances include 22 km, 56 km, and 106 km.

Let's Green Bloem Expo

This expo forms part of the Mangaung/Bloemfontein Rose Festival and gives 'green' and organic local businesses an opportunity to promote their businesses.This includes showcasing different products and services that support a green environment, such as solar power, grey water systems, vegetable tunnels, JoJo tank systems, etc.

Education

Bloemfontein houses many institutions of learning, from pre-schools to universities and colleges. Classes are taught in different languages from school to school, with some even teaching all their classes in two languages. The languages are predominantlyAfrikaans,English, andSesotho.

Primary education

• St. Andrew's Primary School
• Grey College Primary School

Secondary education

• St. Andrew's School
• Grey College
• Eunice High School
• Bloemfontein High School
• Hoërskool Fichardtpark
• Hoërskool Jim Fouché
• Hoërskool Sand du Plessis
• St. Michael's School
• Hoërskool Sentraal

Public tertiary institutions

• University of the Free State
• Central University of Technology
• Motheo TVET college

There is a Further Education and Training College called Motheo FET College, which comprises three main campuses (Thaba N'chu, Hillside View, and Bloemfontein) and satellite campuses in Zastron, Philippolis, and Botshabelo.Motheo TVET College

Economy

The private sector mainly drives Bloemfontein's economy. Bloemfontein's share of National GDP, employment, and population is the lowest among the benchmark group of South African and Southern African cities, falling just below the city ofPort Elizabeth.The city's share of the National GDP is 1.73%, with a share of national employment at 1.86% and a share of the national population at 1.67%. Bloemfontein's GDP growth, at 0.57% in 2015, stood in the lower half of the benchmark group of cities. Like other major cities in South Africa, Bloemfontein's GDP growth has slowly decreased in recent years.

Major companies

The city is home to two of South Africa's top construction and infrastructure companies. Raubex Group Ltd, established in 1974 and listed on theJSE Limitedsince March 2007and Ruwacon (Pty Ltd), established in 1999.

Other major companies included the retail department store, Kloppers, established in 1967and EconoFoods (Pty Ltd) established in 1996.

Hospitals and clinics

See also:List of hospitals in South Africa § Free State

Entertainment

• Sand du Plessis Theatre

Queen of Roses also happens during this event.The competition recognizes citizens of the City of Bloemfontein for contributions that go beyond their regular duties to enrich the Mangaung Metro. Nominees need to be citizens.

Media

• Dumelang Media

Newspapers

• Dumelang News - The People's Paper
• Free State Times
• Volksblad
• Ons StadClosed down
• Bloemnuus
• The Weekly
• Courant

Radio

• OFM
• Kovsie FM
• Lesedi FM
• Motheo FM
• Radio Rosestad 100.6 FM
• Motsweding FM
• CUT FM
• Med FM

Transport

Road

Bloemfontein's national and regional roads are as follows: TheN1,a major highway running roughly SW to NE fromCape TowntoJohannesburgandZimbabwelargely bypasses this city to the west. TheN8runs east/west connecting Bloemfontein toKimberleyandMaseru,the capital ofLesotho.Bloemfontein is also the northern end of theN6 roadheading roughly southwards to the port ofEast London.

There are also two two-digit R routes: theR64,which is the old road to Kimberley, viaDealesvilleandBoshof.It ends at the N1. TheR30ends at the N1 north of the town. It is the road toWelkom.

Three other three-digit R routes have their origin in Bloemfontein. TheR706takes origin from the N8 in the city centre, and heads south-west towardsJagersfonteinandFauresmith.TheR702also originates from the N8 in the city centre, but heads south-east towards the towns ofDewetsdorpandWepener.The third road, theR700,starts in the city centre from the N8 and heads north, crossing the N1 towardsBultfontein.

Below that level, Bloemfontein has several metropolitan orM roads.These roads are numbered independently of M-roads in other South African cities.

Rail

Bloemfontein is well connected withrail.It is located on the most importantrail junctionbetweenJohannesburgandCape Town,with daily trains toPort Elizabeth,East LondonandJohannesburg.

Air

Bloemfontein has twoairports:New Tempe AerodromeandBram Fischer International Airport.New Tempe Aerodromehas no scheduled flights; it is a training facility for aviators and schools.Bram Fischer International Airporthas scheduled flights to South Africa's major cities.

Public transport

In October 2016, the Mangaung Metropolitan and various taxi associations agreed on the Integrated Public Transport system, which is currently under construction. The project consists of two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of busways along the Metropolitan. The second will be the building of depots and stations.

Notable people

Many famous people are associated with Bloemfontein; these include:

Rugby players

• François Steyn,rugbyplayer
• Juan Smith,rugbyplayer
• Os du Randt,rugbyplayer
• Chris Dry,South Africa national rugby sevens teamplayer
• Naka Drotské,rugbyplayer
• Brendan Venter,rugbyplayer
• Andre Joubert,rugbyplayer
• Andre Venter,rugbyplayer
• Ruben Kruger,rugbyplayer
• Ollie Le Roux,rugbyplayer
• Coenie Oosthuizen,rugbyplayer
• Jannie de Beer,rugbyplayer
• Ox Nché,rugbyplayer

Cricket players

• Allan Donald,South Africancricketer
• Hansie Cronje,South Africancricketcaptain
• Morne van Wyk,played for South Africa Proteas Cricket team
• Kepler Wessels,test cricketer with Australia and South Africa

Football players

• Willem Jacksonplayed for Bloemfontein Celtic andSouth Africa national football team.
• Vuyo Mereplays forMoroka Swallows.
• Thabo Nthetheplayed for Bloemfontein Celtic,Mamelodi Sundowns,Chippa Unitedand South Africa national football team.
• Thembinkosi Lorchplays forOrlando Piratesand South Africa national football team.
• Kgotso Molekoplays forKaizer Chiefs.
• Neo Maemaplays forMamelodi Sundowns.

Musicians

• Leon Schuster,filmmaker, comedian and musician, born and schooled in Bloemfontein
• Shaun MorganandDale Stewart,musicians and founding members of the bandSeether
• Coenie de Villiers,Afrikaans musician and songwriter
• Brendan Peyper,Afrikaans musician and songwriter

Actors / Directors

• Leon Schuster,filmmaker, comedian and musician, born and schooled in Bloemfontein
• Tony Kgoroge,South African actor, performances in movies includingHotel Rwanda,Blood Diamond,Invictus,Lord of WarandSkin

Other

• J. R. R. TolkienCBEwas born in Bloemfontein on 3 January 1892. Tolkien is famous for creating theLegendariumfantasy epics,The Hobbit,The Lord of the RingsandThe Silmarillion.At three years of age, Tolkien left South Africa for England.
• Ryk Neethling,Olympic gold medalist swimmer
• Zola Budd,international long-distance athlete, born in the city and attended Sentraal High School
• Gerrit Badenhorst,a powerlifter and strongman competitor.
• Karla Pretorius,South Africa national netball teamplayer, attended theUniversity of the Free State
• Frans Claerhout,artist
• Gert Coetzer,rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s
• Beric John Croome,Advocate of theHigh Court of South Africa
• Winkie Direko,first black chancellor of theUniversity of the Free State
• Lizzie van Zyl,Child inmate of the Bloemfontein concentration camp during theSecond Boer War
• DrJohn Vernon HarrisonFRSEgeologist, was born here
• Flaxman Qoopane,writer
• Billy Modise
• Elzabe Rockman,former Free State MEC for Finance

Religion

Bloemfontein has a large and diverse Christian population. The city houses several churches and denominations:

• It is the seat of theAnglican Diocese of the Free State
• AfrikaansBaptist Church(Afrikaans:Afrikaanse Baptiste Kerk)
• Dutch Reformed Church(Afrikaans:Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk)
• Sacred Heart Cathedralin Bloemfontein is the seat of theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Bloemfontein
• Seventh-day Adventist Church,Southern African headquarters.
• Christian Revival Church.
• New Covenant Ministries Internationalhad a church called Fountainhead led by Chris Gerber. It was a New Testament Church known as Fountainhead Church International. Later, this church merged withDoxa Deo Bloemfontein,now the combined church's name.

The city also has a large Jewish population, established in the mid-19th century.

There are two main cemeteries in Bloemfontein:

• The Old Cemetery: Over 1,000 names from the three cemeteries. Old: The oldest of the three cemeteries, dating from 1871, is simply a tiny fenced-off area of a public cemetery near the city centre. It includes a few graves of several Jewish pioneers involved in the city's early days who died serving on either side in the Boer War, 1899–1902. Each of these pioneer families' thirty or so tombstones has been completely transcribed.
• South Park: This cemetery was consecrated in 1978 and now includes over 10,000 graves. It is the biggest cemetery in the Free State.

On 7 October 2010, Several tombstones in theJewish cemeteryin Bloemfontein were defaced withswastikasand antisemitic graffiti. On 10 April 2012, Bloemfontein's historic Memorium cemetery was vandalized, with 35 tombstones toppled and obscene graffiti daubed on the walls of the adjoining Ohel. The graffiti included images of money bags and diamonds, as well as of a crudely drawnMagen David,allegedly as part of an anti-Semitic act. There is also the old Phahameng cemetery, which dates back to the 1960s and was explicitly reserved for Africans during theapartheid eraand has a Heroes Acre, where freedom fighters are laid to rest. The Heide Heights cemetery in Heidedal was reserved for coloured people during the apartheid era, but all races could bury their dead after 1994. This cemetery has been closed due to it being full.

Community service organisations

• Round Table 158 BloemfonteinThe firstRound Tablewas formed inNorwich,England in 1927. The founder,Louis Marchesi,was a young member of the Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young business owners of the town could gather regularly. At their meetings, they could exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues, and play a collective part in the civic life of Norwich. From a very early stage, it was agreed that Round Table would be a non-religious, non-political club, which has continued to this day.
• Child Welfare BloemfonteinChild Welfare Bloemfontein & Childline Free State is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1914 by a group of volunteers who identified a need for welfare services among the community. In 2004, Child Welfare Bloemfontein celebrated its 90th birthday. Over the past 90 years, many community programmes have been successfully implemented.
• FreemasonsThe Masonic Centre, Bloemfontein, was built during the 1970s when all theMasonic Lodgesin Bloemfontein, sold their individual properties. The centre was erected to facilitate all Masonic activities in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas. All four active Constitutions in South Africa gather at the centre. The lodges that own the centre are Lodge Unie (est. 1864), the Rising Star Lodge (est. 1865), Thistle Lodge (est.1903), Emerald Lodge (est. 1905), Lodge Dagbreek (est. 1932) & Lodge Oranje (est. 1964). Various side degrees are catered for at the Centre, which includes the Mark, Ark, the Royal Arch & Rose Croix. Bloemfontein has a rich Masonic history, especially in the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), with members such asLord Kitchener,Rudyard KiplingandSir Arthur Conan Doyle,visiting Lodges in Bloemfontein.

International relations

Sister cities

• Nanjing,China
• Bhubaneshwar,India

External links

• BloemfonteinThe official Mangaung Local Municipality website
• "Bloemfontein".Encyclopædia Britannica(12th ed.). 1922.
• Apartheid and housing in Mangaung and BotshabeloArchived6 December 2017 at theWayback Machine