Hoopstad

Hoopstad
Hoopstad Church
Hoopstad Hoopstad
Coordinates: 27°50′S 25°55′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Free State
District	Lejweleputswa
Municipality	Tswelopele
Established	1873
Area
• Total	30.2 km2 (11.7 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	16,033
• Density	530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	91.9%
• Coloured	2.0%
• Indian/Asian	0.4%
• White	5.5%
• Other	0.3%
First languages (2011)
• Sotho	52.0%
• Xhosa	18.5%
• Tswana	14.6%
• Afrikaans	7.1%
• Other	7.8%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	9479
PO box	9479
Area code	053

The key town of Hoopstad is situated on the R700 Highway between Bloemfontein and the North West Province. This area is considered to be the richest maize-producing district in South Africa. The town is located near the Bloemhof Dam which is situated on the Vaal River. The Sandveld Nature Reserve is positioned alongside the Bloemhof Dam. Hopetown and Hoopstad are two different towns and often get confused.

History and activities

The town of Hoopstad was initially founded in 1876 and named Hauptstad after Mr Haupt, a surveyor. The translation of Hauptstad into Afrikaans means Capital, which it clearly wasn’t and the town was therefore renamed Hoopstad. The town, whose name means "Hope City" in Afrikaans, was established on the one side of the large farm Kameeldoorns, with another town Bultfontein on the other side.