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Bloemfontein

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File:Bloemfontein nagtelike stadshorison.jpg
Bloemfontein at night
File:Bloemfonteinarms.jpg
Coat of arms of Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein (IPA: [ˈblʏmfɑnˌte(ɪ)n], Afrikaans and Dutch for "fountain of Bloem (bloom)" or "flower fountain" 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". Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. Although Bloemfontein has a reputation for its flowers in an otherwise arid region, the city's name is alleged by some to refer to Jan Bloem (1775-1858), a Korana Griqua leader whose people inhabited (and still inhabit) parts of the Free State and Northern Cape. Others see this proposition as a conceit, a manifestation of Political correctness and a retrospective reconstruction of history. The British Colonial Authotities did not have a great track record of naming places after local aborigines.

The city is situated on dry grassland at 29°06′S 26°13′E / 29.100°S 26.217°E / -29.100; 26.217, at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level. The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the Mangaung Local Municipality has a population of 645,455. Bloemfontein is served by Bloemfontein airport.

History

Though historically a predominantly Afrikaner settlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846 by British army major Henry Douglas Warden as a British outpost in the Transoranje region, at that stage occupied by various groups of peoples including Cape Colony Trek Boers, Griqua and Basothos. With colonial policy shifts the region changed into the Orange River Sovereignty (1848-1854) and eventually the Orange Free State Republic (1854-1902). From 1902-1910 it served as the capital of the Orange River Colony and since that time as the provincial capital of the Orange Free State (later Free State) province as well as judicial capital of the Country.

Founding and early days

Warden originally chose the site largely because of its close proximity to the main route to Winburg, the spacious open country,and the absence of horse sickness.

1854-1898

As the capital of the Orange Free State Republic the growth and maturing of the Republic resulted in the growth of the town. Numerous public buildings that remain in use to day were constructed, this was largely facilitated by the excellent governance of the Republic (which acquired the term model republic) and the compensation from the British for the loss of the diamond rich Griqualand area.

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

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

Second Anglo-Boer War/South African War

In 1899, the city was the site of the Bloemfontein Conference, which failed to prevent the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. The conference demonstrated the unsatisable arrogance of both Kruger and Milner.

The rail line from Cape Town to be critical to the British in occupying the city later

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

Early 20th Centuary

The South African National Congress (ANC - now 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 the poet and author Sol Plaatje amongst its founding members.

Recent history

Geography & Climate

Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa on the southern edge of the Highveld at an elevation of 1400m, bordering on the semi-arid region of the Karoo. The area is generally flat with occasional hills (koppies: Afrikaans) and the general vegetation is Highveld grassland. Owing to its high elevation and distance from the sea, Bloemfontein experiences a continental climate with hot summer days (Jan: max:31ºC min:15ºC; frequent afternoon thunderstorms) and cold, dry winters, often with severe frost (Jul: max:17ºC min:-2ºC). Snow is rare but as recently as August 2006 it snowed in the city.

Climate Table
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Highest recorded temperature (°C) 39 39 35 33 30 25 24 29 34 35 37 38 39
Highest recorded temperature (°F) 102 102 95 91 86 77 75 84 93 95 99 100 102
Average daily maximum temperature (°C) 31 29 27 23 20 17 17 20 24 26 28 30 24
Average daily maximum temperature (°F) 88 84 81 73 63 63 73 75 79 82 86 75
Average daily minimum temperature (°C) 15 15 12 8 3 -2 -2 1 5 9 12 14 8
Average daily minimum temperature (°F) 59 59 54 46 37 28 28 34 41 48 54 57 46
Lowest recorded temperature (°C) 6 4 1 -3 -9 -9 -10 -10 -7 -3 0 3 -10
Lowest recorded temperature (°F) 43 39 34 27 16 16 14 14 19 27 32 37 14
Average monthly precipitation (mm) 83 111 72 56 17 12 8 15 24 43 58 60 559
Average monthly precipitation (in) 3.3 4.4 2.8 2.2 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.7 2.3 2.4 22
Average number of rain days (>= 1 mm) 11 11 11 9 4 3 2 3 4 7 9 10 84
Source: South African Weather Service

Suburbs

Bloemfontein suburbs include Bayswater, Brandwag, Ehrlichpark, Fauna, Fichardtpark, Fleurdal, Gardeniapark, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourierpark, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof 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.

Sports

Stadia

The Free State Stadium and the surrounding sports complex is the main sports venue in the city and province. There are several other sports venues however in the city, including facilities belonging to the University, schools and sports clubs.

Soccer

Bloemfontien is joint home (together with nearby Botshabelo) to Premier Soccer League team Bloemfontein Celtic. Some of the matches of the Football World Cup 2010 will be played at the Free State Stadium.

Rugby

Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium is home to two rugby union teams; the Central Cheetahs franchise who compete in the Super 14 and the Free State Cheetahs who play in the domestic Currie Cup.

Cricket

The Gestetner Eagles representing the Free State and Northern Cape in various series is located at Good Year Park, part of the Free State Stadium complex.

Motor Sports

  • Bloemfontein has an excellent Motocross track run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club.
  • There is also a kart circuit (M&F Raceway), which is ruled by Bloemfontein Kart Club.

Education

Bloemfontein is the seat of University of the Free State as well as the Central University of Technology

There are also several high schools (secondary schools) in the city, these include:

The most famous schools are Grey College and Eunice Girls' High School which are situated alongside each other.

Recreational

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

There is also a kart circuit (M&F Raceway), which is ruled by Bloemfontein Kart Club.

One can also enjoy a day or a sleep over at the Bloemfontein Zoo. Zoo Snoozes are only one of the activities arranged by Friends of the Bloemfontein Zoo.

Media

Famous Persons

J. R. R. Tolkien CBE was born in city, 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973. Tolkein is famous for his fantasy epics The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. When aged 3, Tolkien left South Africa for England.

Religion

Several churches and denominations are represented in Bloemfontein.

Local Governance

Bloemfontein forms part of the Manguang Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality

Community Service Organizations

Round Table is a non-political, non-racial association of young men between the ages of 18 and 40, embracing representatives of nearly every profession and occupation. Its objects are the encouragement of high ethical standards, the promotion of social inter-action and fellowship among young professional and business men and the quickening of individual interest in everything affecting the public welfare. Click on the link above for more information.

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