Bloemfontein

File:Bloemfonteinarms.jpg

Coat of arms of Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein (Dutch for "fountain of flowers") is one of South Africa's three capital cities, along with Pretoria and Cape Town. Bloemfontein serves as the judicial capital, as well as the capital of the Free State province. The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "the place where cheetahs dwell".

The city is situated on dry grassland at 29°06′S 26°13′E, at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level. The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the greater Mangaung municipality has a population of 645,455. Bloemfontein is served by Bloemfontein Airport.

History

Historically an Afrikaner settlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846, and served from 1854 to 1902 as the capital of the Orange Free State.

A railway line was built in 1890 connecting Bloemfontein to Cape Town.

In 1899, the city was the site of the Bloemfontein Conference, which failed to prevent the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.

J. R. R. Tolkien was born in the city on January 3 1892.

On March 13, 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War, British forces captured the city and built a concentration camp here to house Boer women and children. The 45,000 women and children (including up to 17,000 black people) who died in these camps are paid homage by the National Women's Memorial, on the outskirts of the city.

The South African National Congress (ANC - the now ruling party) was founded to defend the rights of the black majority on 8 January 1912 in Bloemfontein, and counted John Dube (its first president) and poet and author Sol Plaatje among its founder members.

Suburbs

Bloemfontein suburbs include Bayswater, Brandwag, Ehrlichpark, Fauna, Fichardtpark, Fleurdal, Gardeniapark, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourierpark, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wifgehof and Willows to the south of the city. To the north of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhovenpark, Arboretum, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park and Waverley.

2010 World Cup

Some of the matches of the Football World Cup 2010 will be played at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium. The local training venues are:

• Seisa Ramabodu Stadium
• University of the Free State Stadium
• Jo Batlokong Stadium
• Central University of Technology, Free State Stadium
• Bethlehem Stadium

Education

Bloemfontein is home to the University of the Free State (Universiteit van die Vrystaat in Afrikaans).

There are also several high schools (secondary schools) in the city. Some of them include Hoërskool Fichardtpark in Fichhardtpark, Technical High School Louis Botha, Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Hoërskool Sand du Plessis, Sentraal High School (Hoërskool Sentraal), located in the suburb of Dan Pienaar. The most famous school is Grey College.

Recreational

Bloemfontein has an excellent Motocross track run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club.

Media

Die Volksblad

Religion

Several churches and denominations are represented in Bloemfontein.

Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk):

NG Gemeente Heuwelkruin

External links

• Bloemfontein The Official Mangaung Local Municipality Website
• Bloemonline The Bloemfontein Business Guide
• Additional information about Bloemfontein Airport
• Google Map