Thabo Mofutsanyana District
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 Mantsopa Local Municipality with offices at Ladybrand
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park derives its name from the shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp. Renowned for its scenery, invigorating climate and excellent accommodation in either hotel rooms or self-catering chalets and rondavels, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park has become a holiday draw card in its own right. This 11 600ha of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a splendid animal habitat. Within QwaQwa National Park the Basotho Cultural Village is a must visit, as is The Sentinel. This is a full day hike up the back of the Drakensberg amphitheatre and is highly recommended. Other sites to visit in the Park: The Van Reenen family graveyard, the impressive Brandwag buttress rock formation and a bird hide at the Langtoon Dam. Interesting lookout points and viewpoints: Zuluhoek lookout point, Generaalskop viewpoint, Oribi basin and Drakensberg view. Other facilities: Bowls, tennis, table tennis and snooker. Picnic site for day visitors has ablution and barbeque facilities. The Eastern Free State or Thabo Mofutsanyane District represents one of the essential must-visit areas for any foreign visitor to South Africa. Almost out of place against the gentle topography of the Free State, the better part of the eastern section of the province is starkly rugged and mountainous. The Drakensberg and Maluti Ranges peer over the Free State to the left and Lesotho to the right like schoolmasters. Separated by these sandstone walls, the Basotho people have defended themselves as one against invaders for centuries, refusing to step down from their lofty strongholds. With the 'difaqane' - the migration of foreigners from the north and the east - the Basotho first came into contact with European settlers in the 19th century, resulting in a number of wars fought along the caves and slopes next to the Caledon River. The towns of the Eastern Free State display a notable rustic character, with for instance a town such as Clarens with its Swiss-like appearance and concentration of artists radiate a unique charm. The commercial centre of the region is Bethlehem, with an attractive array of sandstone buildings throughout the town. Harrismith on the N3 between Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal is also a key industrial centre. In QwaQwa further to the west Phuthadtitjhaba houses a modern industrial area managed by the Free State Development Corporation.  Beautiful sandstone Dutch Reformed church at Kestell The huge Sterkfontein Dam outside Harrismith is not only ideal for water sports, but is also a primary source of water for the Vaal Dam, which in turn is the main supplier of water for the Gauteng province as South Africa's industrial heartland. The Salpeterkrans sandstone overhang near Fouriesburg is a bizarre example of wind erosions. The bird watching mecca of Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near Memel constitutes a wetland with RAMSAR status and is surrounded with private game and holiday farms. It is evident why the Eastern Free State holds magical allure. Whether it be trout fishing in the rivers, attending the Cherry Festival at Ficksburg in November or simply relishing the magnificence of the area by visiting any of the towns, one is to reach one conclusion: This is soul country.  Basotho culture It forms part of the Riemland Region - derived from the Afrikaans term "rieme" meaning thong or strap and comes from the abundant hides and skins harvested in the 19th century from the great herds of game which have roamed this region. The game in turn followed the excellent climate and natural environment prevailing in this region - good summer rainfalls, veld with very high nutritional value and moderate temperatures with not too cold winters and not too hot summers. This in a nutshell sums up the Reitz-Lindley-Arlington-Petrus Steyn region, today forming part of the Nketoane Municipal Area. The history of its human settlements and weals and woes is as absorbing as that of its wildlife history - a history that today, if exploited effectively, justifies a tourism destination in its own right. In present times this region is foremost characterised and driven by its high commercial agricultural output - wheat, maize, sunflower, sheep, cattle, game, etc. - some of the best SA has to offer. Scratching on the tourism surface of this region, one is astounded at the liveliness coming to the fore - lovely guesthouses and guest farms, game and hunting enterprises, the BielieMielie Festival at Reitz, a fully-fledged tourist information office at Lindley, a highly up to date website for Lindley, the availability and ability of local people to articulate the rich history of the region, the efforts of the Nketoane Local Municipality to promote tourism entrepreneurship amongst previously disadvantaged communities, new ideas for festival themes being explored and much more. This feature as presented by the Free State Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Free State Business Bulletin provides a mere keyhole glimpse of the region - there is simply no substitute for visiting the region personally in order to obtain firsthand experience. Some salient features Reitz Reitz is the principal town of the area and economically the strongest. It has a vibrant business sector, while Vrystaat Koöp is headquartered at the town. So is the Nkeotane Local Municipality. The town disposes of good schools and social and sporting amenities. The annual BielieMielie Festival, to be held this year 13-16 February, is the foremost festival in the North Eastern Free State. First held in 1980, this year is seeing the 28th event. Last year the festival drew some 16 000 visitors. For this year a full and exciting programme has been laid on, including braai competitions, lots of commercial and flea market exhibitions, food stalls, vleis merino championships, farm animals for children, flower arranging, fashion parades, variety of entertainment programmes, quad bikes, barn dances, etc. - for details visit www.bieliemielie.co.za or call 058 863 2580. As for development of tourism opportunities for previously disadvantaged communities in the area, the director corporate services of the Nketoane Local Municipality, Mr. Desmond Radebe, on enquiry told the Free State Business Bulletin that the municipality is conducting special educational and empowerment projects. He moreover pointed out the huge untapped tourism potential of the area and says that the municipality has a good working relationship with the local tourism industry. The municipality also maintains a toll free number for tourist enquiries - 0800 2044 59 or can be contacted at 058 863 281. Radebe can be contacted at (058) 863 2811. Lindley  Free State agronomy The farm Doornkloof of famous Voortrekker leader, Sarel Cilliers, is also in the district, forming today the national headquarters of the Voortrekkers youth movement. Noteworthy is also the widely published memoirs of a woman Voortrekker pioneer, Anna Elisabeth Steenkamp, born in Franschoek, but who participated in the Groot Trek and later resided in the district. Lindley is also the birthplace of Dr. Danie Craven, described as the father of South African rugby. A small quaint town, Lindley offers surprising sights and amenities. The Lindley Booking Office & Tourism Info is a full time operated business - contact Joh-Mari van Heerden at 083 719 1110 or lloydgeorge@ananzi.co.za. The surroundings are also renowned for bird watching and a total of 108 species have been spotted here. In the district are ample hunting, horse riding, hiking, quad biking, angling and other outdoor opportunities. From 6-7 October 2007 the Free State Independent Film Festival was held at Lindley with the aim of encouraging film-making in rural areas and promote the local environs as prospecting film making locations. For more information contact Johan Colyn at 072 230 5080 or johan@lindley.co.za. For 18-19 April 2008 the Riemland Kuierfees, a social country fair, is to be held at Lindley. More info is available from an excellent website at www.lindley.co.za.  Autumn colours in Eastern Free State As with the rest of the area, the village of Arlington is supported by a very strong agricultural district, especially cattle studs for the Simmintaler, Simbra and Angus breeds. Hunting and other outdoor activities for the visitor also abound. In the vicinity are also Leghoya ruins (beehive huts from stone) as can be seen at Willem Pretorius Game Reserve. The rare girdle-tailed lizard, also known as patakali, is quite common in this area. For more info on Arlington and surrounds, Llewellyn Angus can be contacted at 082 8055 101 or langus@webmail.co.za. Petrus Steyn Petrus Steyn, named after a leading local farmer of the time, was founded in 1912. It is situated near the large hill Elandskop, the scene of many a skirmish between Boer and Brit during the Anglo-Boer War. Research has indicated that Petrus Steyn is the Free State town highest above sea level, at 1 702 meter above sea level. The Renoster River has its source near the town. The Dirkie Uys Square with its Voortrekker monument is a tourist attraction. At the farms Benadiesbanke, Bloukrans and Rockview are particularly beautiful rock formations. About 18 km from Petrus Steyn on the Frankfort road is a small restorated NG missionary church known as the Kruispad-kerkie. Dr. Stowell Kessler, who has researched the role of black people in the Anglo-Boer War, resided at Petrus Steyn and his widow, Marie Kessler-Steyn, still lives at the town. For more info, Jan Mienie can be contacted at 082 852 6593 or janmienie@mweb.co.za.  Haybales and the Rooiberge in the Eastern Free State  Beauty finalists for annual Miss Cherry Festival at Ficksburg
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