• Arlington
• Bloemfontein
• Bothaville
• Clarens
• Deneysville
• Fezile Dabi District
• Kroonstad
• Lindley
• Parys
• Petrus Steyn
• Reitz
• Ventersburg
• Welkom

Arlington

As with the rest of the northeastern Free State, 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.

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein (pronounced /?blu?mf?nte?n/, Afrikaans and Dutch for "spring of Bloem (bloom)", "flower spring" or "fountain of flowers" is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa as well as one of the nation's three capitals being the judicial capital. The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "place of cheetahs and became part of the Mangaung Local Municipality in 2000. " 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[who?] 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.

Accommodation in Bloemfontein

Clarens

In the heart of the picturesque and mountainous Eastern Free State, the quaint town of Clarens is found nestling between the Rooiberge and Mount Horeb. The environment casts a captivating - almost mystical - enchantment and while summer offers mild temperatures, winters do become very cold.

According to Basotho legend, the mountain Setlofe (known as Mount Horeb), is a shy maiden. She was betroathed to the warrior mountain, Matsa (Rhebokkop), who jilted her for another. This broke Setlofe's heart and even now, when she thinks about it, she draws her veil around her head and weeps. Thus when Setlofe is shrouded in cloud, it will soon rain in Clarens! Today locals say that when the hadidas fly towards Mount Horeb in the evening, it will rain the following day.

Be as it may, the town of Clarens was founded in 1912 and grew gradually through pioneering and often troublesome times. The history of Clarens is excellently recorded in the book Clarens 1900 - 2000 authored by the Rev. Piet Grobler, former minister of the NG Church at the town. Ample other literature on Clarens is also available. Characteristic about the town is it's sandstone buildings mainly laid out around the town square. The sandstone NG pastorage was for instance been designed by the famous architect Gerhard Moerdyk.

Situated on the road between Fouriesburg and the Golden Gate National Park, Clarens was for decades overshadowed by the economic development of Bethlehem, some 30 km to the north. However, especially during the past few years Clarens has blossomed out into a tourist destination par excellence and developed a regional economy of its own.

While the Lesotho Highlands Water Project a decade ago created an economic off-spin for Clarens inasmuch as the residential township of Larola for employees at the construction site was established at Clarens, innovative entrepreneurship in various kinds of tourism products clicked in and turned Clarens and its surroundings into a tourist haven. This in turn led to Clarens becoming a much sought-after investment spot.

These days weekend tourists from Gauteng flock to Clarens and surroundings, while it is also popular amongst Europeans and Americans doing governmental and contractual service in Lesotho. The spending of such visitors pumps millions into the local economy. One result is that the price of real estate in and around Clarens has shot up, while the current market value of residential property at Clarens is the highest in the entire Free State.

Deneysville

Situated on the northern tip of the Free State, on the banks of the Vaal Dam and right on the doorstep of Gauteng, Deneysville has, however, for long not been part of the normal hustle and bustle of the Vaal Triangle. Nonetheless it is a quaint little town with lovely boat marines, having seemingly the past two years not only discovered itself as it were, but also experiencing an upsurge of investing interest, mainly from Gauteng.

At present Deneysville proper has some 1000 residents, while the adjoining Refengkhotso township has an estimated 35 000 residents.

When entering Deneysville today one experiences clearly a “vibe” in the air - an expectancy of things happening and development taking place, coupled with the leisurely lifestyle of some people on holiday or just relaxing, mostly connected to boating and other water-related activities.

The local business sector, although comparatively small, is evidently vibrant, with an established Deneysville Business and Tourism Forum under the chairpersonship of Charlotte Whitson.

A salient feature of Deneysville at present is the considerable number of people residing at Deneysville but working in Gauteng.

Johannesburg is via the Heidelberg road and R59 route only abou an hour's drive from Deneysville. Then there is a noticeable number of former Gauteng residents who, having skipped the rat race and settled at Deneysville, have opened businesses locally.

Without drawing direct comparisons, one cannot but get the feeling that Deneysville is currently where the town of Clarens was a few years ago - on the verge of a local economic and tourism boom.

Kroonstad

Kroonstad was founded in 1855 and amidst a strong farming district grew progressively from tiny small to a strong medium-sized town and eventually to one of the leading socio-economic growth points in the Free State. Farming consists mainly of Afrikaner cattle, sheep, maize, wheat, sunflower and other produce as well as a lively dairy industry.

Situated on the banks of the Vals River, the river has through the years fulfilled an integral part of the town, contributing largely to the scenic beauty of the town. By the way, the Vals River was so named after the early Voortrekkers wrongly assumed they had reached the Vaal River - "vals" meaning false in Afrikaans. The landmark Sarel Cilliers wagon-wheel bridge with its characteristic arch over the river and surrounding park lands still form salient features of Kroonstad. The well known caravan and camping resort of Kroon Park is situated on the southern bank of the river.

The famous Voortrekker leader, Sarel Cilliers, who played an important role in the history of Natal, especially at the battle of Blood River, settled in the latter part of the 19th century in the district of Kroonstad on the farm Doornkloof. Today a prominent statue of Sarel Cilliers still graces the town centre.

Towards the end of the 19th century and early in the 20th century Kroonstad became a lively business hub and attracted a considerable number of traders of all kinds, shop owners and other entrepreneurs. As a convenient stopover between the Cape and Transvaal and also between Natal and the western part of the sub-continent, Kroonstad became a pivotal road and rail link.

In 1910, the Kroonstad Chamber of Commerce was founded and this fast tracked structured local business and economic development. The 1930's were hard hit by the depression and the Chamber's progress was as a result retarded, but recovery came towards the 40's.

In 1939 the Chamber acted as hosts to the national Associated Chamber of Commerce with delegates representing every Chamber in the then Union. In 1947 the royal family, King George and Queen Elizabeth accompanied by their two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, visited Kroonstad.

1950 saw a reawakening of the local business sector and membership of the Chamber of Commerce increased to 100 thus becoming the second biggest of its kind in the Free State and the 17th biggest in SA. This gives an indication of the importance Kroonstad assumed in the Free State and national context.

Towards the turn of the 20th century and the implementation of the new governmental dispensation in South Africa, Kroonstad experienced a downturn in terms of economic activity and the rendering of municipal services. To this the downscaling of Spoornet at the town, general rural stagnation and changes in the agricultural sector contributed. However, as of late the economy of Kroonstad and surroundings is recovering excellently with an upsurge in tourism product owners and agro-processing industries kicking in. Especially the tourism industry with ample guesthouses, game farms, suppliers of various kinds of outdoor activities, etc., coupled with a wide range of tourist sites and attractions, offer exciting opportunities for visitors.

Today Kroonstad has some 200 000 residents, which includes the residential areas of Moakeng and Brentpark.

For administrative purposes Kroonstad falls under the Moqhaka Local Municipality with its head office at the town, with satellite offices at Steynsrus and Viljoenskroon.

Seen against this background, Kroonstad and its surroundings today constitute a tourist destination in its own right.

Lindley

Proclaimed a town in 1878, Lindley is named after the missionary, Daniel Lindley, an American Presbyterian minister of the Voortrekkers in the 19th century. Historically notable was the Battle for Yeomanry Hills which took place during May 1900 between British and Free State forces. In this regard, oom Kota, a local tour guide, can give more information - tel. (056) 12, ask for Arlington 1721.

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.

Parys

Parys is the gateway to the Vredefort Dome, the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world and decalred as a World Heritage Site.

This picturesque town on the banks of the Vaal River reminds one of the French capital on the banks of the Seine. Parys offers a happy medium between old world country charm and adventurous outdoor activities. One experiences the tranquil romance of art, antiques, coffee shops and fashion design shops alongside river rafting, abseiling, horse trails, 4x4 routes and wildlife - all, approximately an hour's drive from Johannesburg and less than three hours from Bloemfontein.

Parys is a boom town and one of the strongest growth points in the Free State. It is one of the towns in South Africa with the highest per capita investment and has in particular become a sought after area for property investment. Two luxurious golf estates are for instance currently being constructed at Parys.

Parys also hosts the popular the Dome Adventure Festival - www.domefest.co.za - to be held this year for the fifth time 7 - 9 November 2008. The aim of the festival is to market Parys and The Dome Area as an adventure tourism mecca, attracting in the process thousands of participants and spectators.

In close proximity to Parys strewn along the banks of the Vaal River is a number of exquisite conference and reception venues.

The number of private game ranches and nature reserves in the Parys region is steadily increasing, offering an array of facilities in breathtaking surroundings.

Research has shown that on a busy day 9 000-12 000 vehicles pass through Parys. Geographically speaking, Parys is one of the most centrally situated towns in South Africa, with some 70% of the country's population living within a 200 km radius!

The Parys Info Office is a self-sustained information and tourism office, providing information about Parys and the Vredefort Dome World Heritage site. The office is a Parys Development Forum initiative. For more information, contact +27(0)56 811 4000 or info@parys.co.za or visit www.parys.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.

Reitz

Reitz is the principal town of the northeastern Free State 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 contact Hetty at 082 349 0222.

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. Radebe can be contacted at (058) 863 2811.

Ventersburg

What should be noted first about the recorded history of the region in which the town of Ventersburg was later established, is that 16 km southwest of where the town is today, next to the present day N1, is the venue where the Sand River Convention was signed in 1852 founding the then Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic – only the second republic on the continent of Africa. The ZAR comprised mainly the area which was later known as the Transvaal, north of the Vaal River.

From 1858 to 1867 the area of the later Ventersburg was the scene of intermittent wars between Boer farmers and the Basotho.

In 1873 Ventersburg was established in 1873 on the farm Kromfontein owned by PA Venter and the first erven sold.

Today Ventersburg is situated on the N1 approximately 49 km from Kroonstad and 56 km from Winburg.

A magnificent Dutch Reformed church was built at Ventersburg in 1891, but was torched down to the ground in 1900 by the British forces during the Anglo-Boer War as part of their scorched earth policy. Artefacts and other treasured objects of the church had been looted including the large communion cup (nagmaalbeker). During the latter war Ventersburg was the scene of ample interaction between Boer and British forces.

After the war the DR church was rebuilt and in 1912 completed in its former splendour.

In 1903, Ventersburg was promulgated a municipality. Mamahabane developed as the local township for blacks. It is today one of the few black townships in the Free State which history has been properly recorded by its residents.

Although Ventersburg remained a small town, mainly because it happened not to be linked on the railway line between the Cape and the Transvaal, it is surrounded by a strong agricultural district with maize, sorghum, sunflower and other crop production as well as stock farming with mainly cattle and sheep. There are furthermore quite a number of game farms in the district. As a result Ventersburg has through the years functioned as the central point of a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage.

The Ventersburg environment is known to contain abundant natural resources in the form of coal, sandstone, mudstone and lime deposits. The town remained outside the ambit of the development of the Free State Goldfields at Welkom and surroundings during the second half of the 20th century. However, in 2009 it was reported in the media that a new modern gold mine is to be developed northwest of Ventersburg.

In 2000 Ventersburg became part of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, along with the city of Welkom and the towns of Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus and Virginia. The Matjhabeng Municipality forms part of the greater Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

An interesting historical news item is that somehow in 1991 the missing communion cup from the DR church was found in a pawn shop in San Francisco in the USA and returned on 16 February 1992 to the church via a fascinating process of interaction.

Another interesting feature is that in 1983 one of the first police museums in South Africa was opened at Ventersburg and is today still a tourist attraction.

Currently Ventersburg is also characterised by the heavy freight truck traffic on the N1 using Ventersburg as a stop-over.

Some 30 km southwest of Ventersburg is the Allemanskraal Dam with its Aldam Resort and adjacent Willem Pretorius Game Reserve and abundant game life. At Ventersburg are a number of excellent guesthouses such as Be My Guest Guesthouse, while Strydfontein Farmstay is situated just north of the town and Die Kuierhuis Farmstay about 14 km from the N1 south of the town on the Senekal road.

Accommodation in Ventersburg

Welkom

Following the discovery of gold in 1946, Welkom was founded in 1947 on the farm Welkom, with the word welkom meaning in Afrikaans welcome. It was planned as a model town, with a horseshoe-shaped shopping and administrative district surrounding a park of 11 ha. More than 1 million trees were planted in the town. Satellite towns on the Free State Goldfields like Virginia, Hennenman, Allanridge, etc. sprung up.

Welkom received municipal status in 1961 and was declared a city in 1968. In the years of segregation the township of Thabong was established for blacks and the township of Bronville for colored people. Welkom is today still the only other city in the Free State besides Bloemfontein, disposing of a population of more than half a million.

In the seventies and eighties of the previous century Welkom thrived as a city revolving around the production of gold and uranium. In addition to mineral ore, Welkom and surroundings produce such goods as steel, lumber, beef and maize. Welkom is on the R30 main road between Kroonstad and Bloemfontein, while the city is served by a small airport and a branch of the main railway between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

However, in the mid-nineties the decline in the gold price led to a corresponding downturn in the local economy. To compensate, a secondary economy in the region developed involving inter alia the Phakisa Freeway as an international racing circuit, jewellery production, agro-processing, retailing and tourism facilities such as resorts, guesthouses and game farms. There are currently some 56 guesthouses affiliated to the Welkom Guesthouse Association.

Since 2000 Welkom has been incorporated into the Matjhabeng Local Municipality along with the towns of Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg and Virginia, as such forming part of the Lejweleputswa District.

Accommodation in Welkom