Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein Mangaung
The old Raadsaal in Bloemfontein, with the statue of Christiaan de Wet
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): The City of Roses, Bloem
Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein  Bloemfontein shown within Free State
Coordinates: 29°07′S 26°13′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Free State
Municipality	Mangaung
Established	1846
Area
• City	236.17 km2 (91.19 sq mi)
• Metro	6,283.99 km2 (2,426.26 sq mi)
Elevation	1,395 m (4,577 ft)
Population (2011)
• City	256,185
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
• Metro	747,431
• Metro density	120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	56.1%
• Coloured	12.8%
• Indian/Asian	0.8%
• White	29.8%
• Other	0.5%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	42.5%
• Sotho	33.4%
• English	7.5%
• Xhosa	7.1%
• Other	9.5%
Postal code (street)	9300
PO box	9301
Area code	051
Website	www.mangaungmetro.co.za
Water Hardness Level = 2 (Soft)

Bloemfontein (/ˈbluːmfɒnˌteɪn/; Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈblumfɔntəi̯n]; Afrikaans and Dutch previously "fountain of flowers" or "blooming fountain;" also known as Bloem) is the capital city of the province of Free State of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals (the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital). Bloemfontein is the sixth largest city in South Africa.

Bloemfontein was popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "place of cheetahs". Bloemfontein has since 2011 formed part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, having previously been part of the Mangaung Local Municipality.

Bloemfontein is situated at an altitude of 1,395 m (4,577 ft) above sea level. The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 645,455.

History

Bloemfontein, circa 1900.

Though historically a predominantly Afrikaner settlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846 as a fort 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 Basotho. Although modern day Bloemfontein has a reputation for its flowers in an otherwise arid region, the origin of the city's name is unclear. Popular legends include an ox named "Bloem" owned by one of the pioneer farmers that was taken by a lion near a fountain on his property, while another story names Jan Bloem (1775–1858), a Korana KhoiKhoi leader who inhabited the area. Bloemfontein literally means fountain of flowers or flower spring in Dutch. With colonial policy shifts, the region changed into the Orange River Sovereignty (1848–54) and eventually the Orange Free State Republic (1854–1902). From 1902–10 it served as the capital of the Orange River Colony and since that time as the provincial capital of the Free State. In 1910 it became the Judicial capital of the Union of South Africa.

Founding and early days

Warden originally chose the site largely because of its proximity to the main route to Winburg, the spacious open country, and the absence of horse sickness. Bloemfontein was the original farm of Johannes Nicolaas Brits born 21 February 1790, owner and first inhabitant of Bloemfontein. Johann – as he was known – sold the farm to Maj Warden.

1854–98

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 today 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.. The old Orange Free State's presidential residence the Old Presidency is currently a museum and cultural space in the city.

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

The writer J. R. R. Tolkien was born in the city on 3 January 1892, though his family left South Africa following the death of his father, Arthur Tolkien, while Tolkien was only three. He recorded that his earliest memories were of "a hot country."

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 Second Boer War. The conference was a final attempt to avert a war between Britain and the South African Republic. With its failure the stage was set for war, which broke out on 11 October 1899.

The rail line from Cape Town provided a centrally located railway station, and proved critical to the British in occupying the city later.

On 13 March 1900, following the Battle of Paardeberg, British forces captured the city and built a concentration camp nearby to house Boer women and children. The National Women's Monument, on the outskirts of the city, pays homage to the 26,370 women and children as well as 1,421 old men (also 14,154 black people, though some sources feel that the records are unsatisfactory, and that this number could be as high as 20,000) who died in these camps in various parts of the country.

The hill in town was named Naval Hill after the naval guns brought in by the British in order to fortify the position against attack.

Recent history

Until 1994 the city was the sole judicial capital of South Africa. It remains the seat for the Supreme Court Of Appeal (formerly the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court) and is therefore generally regarded as the judicial capital. It is also an administrative center with many private hospitals and educational institutions.

Government

Free State Provincial Government building Bloemfontein forms part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, which was upgraded from a Local Municipality in 2011.

Geography and climate

Bloemfontein
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     83     31 15     111     29 15     72     27 12     56     23 8     17     20 3     12     17 −2     8     17 −2     15     20 1     24     24 5     43     26 9     58     28 12     60     30 14 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: SAWS
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.3     88 59     4.4     84 59     2.8     81 54     2.2     73 46     0.7     68 37     0.5     63 28     0.3     63 28     0.6     68 34     0.9     75 41     1.7     79 48     2.3     82 54     2.4     86 57 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa on the southern edge of the Highveld at an elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft), bordering on the semi-arid region of the Karoo. The area is generally flat with occasional hills (koppies in Afrikaans) and the general vegetation is Highveld grassland. Bloemfontein experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk ), with hot summer days [Jan: max:32 °C (90 °F) min:19 °C (66 °F); frequent afternoon thunderstorms] and cooler, dry winters, often with frosts [July: max:14 °C (57 °F) min:−3 °C (27 °F)]. Snow is uncommon but as recently as August 2006 it snowed in the city, with snowfalls occurring again at the airport on 26 July 2007.

Climate data for Bloemfontein (1961−1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	39.3 (102.7)	38.9 (102)	34.7 (94.5)	33.3 (91.9)	29.5 (85.1)	24.5 (76.1)	24.1 (75.4)	28.6 (83.5)	33.6 (92.5)	34.8 (94.6)	36.6 (97.9)	37.7 (99.9)	39.3 (102.7)
Average high °C (°F)	30.8 (87.4)	28.8 (83.8)	26.9 (80.4)	23.1 (73.6)	20.1 (68.2)	16.8 (62.2)	17.4 (63.3)	20.0 (68)	24.0 (75.2)	26.1 (79)	28.1 (82.6)	30.1 (86.2)	24.4 (75.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	22.8 (73)	21.4 (70.5)	19.2 (66.6)	14.9 (58.8)	10.7 (51.3)	6.9 (44.4)	7.2 (45)	10.1 (50.2)	14.6 (58.3)	17.5 (63.5)	19.9 (67.8)	21.9 (71.4)	15.6 (60.1)
Average low °C (°F)	15.3 (59.5)	14.7 (58.5)	12.4 (54.3)	7.7 (45.9)	2.5 (36.5)	−1.5 (29.3)	−1.9 (28.6)	0.5 (32.9)	5.2 (41.4)	9.1 (48.4)	11.7 (53.1)	13.8 (56.8)	7.5 (45.5)
Record low °C (°F)	5.6 (42.1)	4.3 (39.7)	0.8 (33.4)	−2.6 (27.3)	−8.7 (16.3)	−9.1 (15.6)	−9.6 (14.7)	−9.7 (14.5)	−6.7 (19.9)	−2.9 (26.8)	−0.1 (31.8)	3.3 (37.9)	−9.7 (14.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	83 (3.27)	111 (4.37)	72 (2.83)	56 (2.2)	17 (0.67)	12 (0.47)	8 (0.31)	15 (0.59)	24 (0.94)	43 (1.69)	58 (2.28)	60 (2.36)	559 (22.01)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	11	11	11	9	4	3	2	3	4	7	9	10	84
Average relative humidity (%)	55	62	64	66	62	62	57	50	46	50	52	52	57
Mean monthly sunshine hours	296.3	247.9	258.6	250.2	266.0	249.9	272.6	285.9	278.0	290.9	296.5	319.5	3,312.3
Source #1: NOAA
Source #2: South African Weather Service (precipitation)

A dust storm envelops Bloemfontein

Suburbs

View of the Hamilton industrial area in Bloemfontein

Replica Eiffel Tower in an industrial area next to Batho

Bloemfontein suburbs include Heidedal to the east and southeast, Bain's Vlei, Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate, Brandwag, Ehrlich Park, Fauna, Fichardt Park, Fleurdal, Gardenia Park, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourier Park, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof and Willows to the south of the city. To the west of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhoven Park. To the north you will find Arboretum, Baysvalley, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park, Panorama Park, and Waverley. To the north east you will find Roodewal and Vallombrosa. The predominantly black suburbs are; Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda, Bochabela and the most historic Batho where the Maphikela House (where the African National Congress started) is situated.

Sports

Stadia

The Free State Stadium and the surrounding sports complex is the main sports venue in the city and province. The venue was the hosting stadium of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa matches played in Bloemfontein. There are several other sports venues in the city, however, including facilities belonging to the university, schools and sports clubs.other stadium's in the city is mangaung oval, Dr. Petrus Molemela stadium and Clive Solomon's stadium

Soccer

Bloemfontein is joint home (together with nearby Botshabelo) to Premier Soccer League team Bloemfontein Celtic. Some of the matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup were played at the Free State Stadium, including the historic 4–1 defeat of England by Germany in the round of 16.

Rugby

Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium is home to two rugby union teams; the Cheetahs who compete in Super Rugby and the Free State Cheetahs who play in the domestic Currie Cup. The Free State Cheetahs won the Currie Cup in 2005 against the Blue Bulls, they drew the final with the Blue Bulls in 2006 and retained the Currie Cup title in 2007 by beating the Golden Lions resulting in the Cheetahs remaining Currie Cup champions until 2008 when the failed to make the final for the first time since 2004. 2009 saw the Cheetahs return to the Currie Cup final but they were unable to beat the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. In 2016 the Cheetahs won the Currie Cup after a perfect season, beating the Blue Bulls at home in Bloemfontein.

Cricket

The Knights cricket team representing the Free State and Northern Cape in various series is located at Mangaung Oval, part of the Free State Stadium complex. Bloemfontein features as a regular venue for touring international and local cricket teams.

Soaring

One of the most active soaring communities in South Africa and the world is using the New Tempe Airport north of Bloemfontein.

Motor sports

Bloemfontein has a motocross track (tempe) run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club, as well as a go-kart circuit (M&F Raceway), which was closed down in early 2015.

Shooting sports

Bloemfontein has a comprehensive shooting centre 20 km (12 mi) south of the city, offering most forms of shooting including various clay target, pistol and rifle disciplines. Bloemfontein's shooting sport community has produced many provincial and national representatives over the years.

Rock Climbing

Bloemfontein has two rock climbing clubs each with a wall and boulder cave.

Rose Festival

Every year Bloemfontein, the 'City of Roses' celebrates the 'Bloemfontein Rose Festival', also known as the 'Mangaung Rose Festival', in October. The event takes place in October because the roses in the Free State bloom best during this cooler month. The majority of the events happen at the Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein. The festival attracts visitors and rose enthusiasts from all over South Africa and the world to participate and experience this grand showcase of roses and other local events and attractions, which take place throughout the city. The festival has made Bloemfontein a popular destination for visitors from around the world as thousands of people attend the festival annually.

History of the Rose Festival

The first rose festival first took place in 1976, when council members decided that hosting such a festival was appropriate given the area's name. In 1976 the events spanned over a few days and included activities related to roses in the Sanlam Plaza. Since then, the rose festival has expanded and grown to meet the growing needs and interests of the public.

Activities

Horticulturalists are invited to take part in competitions which focus on designing and improving unkempt gardens around the city. Festival activities take place in private gardens all over Bloemfontein as local residents of the city open their gardens to the general public for viewing.

Loch Logan Waterfront

The bulk of the festival happens at the Loch Logan Waterfront, which is the largest shopping centre in central South Africa. It spans about 80 000 m² of space and is the hub of shopping, entertainment, sport and culture in Bloemfontein. The waterfront displays flowers created by local nursaries as well as the official municipal display created by the parks department, which is organised by the Mangaung Municipality. The Free State Rose Society’s champion Rose Cut Competition, with approximately 700 entrants every year, is also hosted at the Waterfront, along with the Miss Volksblad Rosebud competition for girls aged 3–4 years old, organised in conjunction with the Volksblad daily newspaper.

Rose Morning High Tea

The Rose Morning High Tea usually occurs at the Urth Garden Centre where tea and treats are served. The Urth Garden Centre is a retail and wholesale nursery that is located on Kenneth Kaunda Road in Bloemfontein. The crowning of the King and of Mangaung in the year of nomination.

Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour

The Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour is a road race that happens during the festival every year. The event is organised by AfriCycle Tours and the dates are announced annually.The race starts at the Urth and the race distances include 22 km, 56 km and 106 km.

Let's Green Bloem Expo

This expo forms part of the Mangaung/Bloemfontein Rose Festival and gives 'green' and organic local businesses an opportunity to display their businesses. This includes showcasing different products and services that support a green environment, such as solar power, grey water systems, vegetable tunnels, JoJo tank systems, etc.

Basic education

Bloemfontein offers many institutions of learning, from pre-schools to Universities and colleges. Classes are taught in different schools in different languages, some schools even teaching all classes in two languages. These languages are mostly Afrikaans, English or Sesotho.

Primary education

• Brandwag Primary School
• Curro Bloemfontein Primary Private School
• Grey College Primary School
• Bloemfontein Primary School
• Laerskool Universitas
• Willem Postma Primary School
• Laerskool Sentraal Primary
• Rutanang Primary School
• Brebner Primary School
• Fichardt Park Primary School
• Jim Fouché Primary School
• Gonyane primary
• Morafe primary
• Legae primary
• Rekgonne primary
• Laerskool Dr Viljoen
• Tsholohelo Primary
• Mangaung Primary
• Lesedi Primary
• Nzame Primary
• Unity Primary
• Daluxolo Primary
• President Brand Primary
• Maboloka Primary
• Bochabela Primary
• Ikhwezi Primary
• Marang Primary
• Credence Primary (Heidedal)
• Batho Primary
• Heide Primary (Heidedal)
• CBC
• Academy of Learning
• Mabeoana Primary
• Ihobe Primary
• Daluxolo Primary
• Mabolela Primary
• Olympia Primary (Heidedal)
• Mothusi Primary
• Karabelo Primary
• Monyatsi Primary
• Joe Solomon Primary(Heidedal)
• Tebelelo Primary
• Kgato Primary
• Rekgonne Primary
• Fauna Primary
• Wilgehof Primary
• Phahamisang Primary
• Kruitberg Primary
• Onze Rust Primary (Uitsig)

Secondary education

• Curro Bloemfontein High School
• St. Andrew's School
• Grey College Secondary School
• Eunice High School
• Rosenhof Girls High School - Girls School
• Academy Of Excellence
• Castle Bridge School
• Bloemfontein High School
• CVO Skool Dankbaar in Bain's Vlei (private Calvinist school, affiliated with the BCVO)
• Hoërskool Fichardtpark in Fichardtpark
• Technical High School Louis Botha
• Hoërskool Jim Fouché
• Hoërskool Sand du Plessis
• St. Michael's School
• Hoërskool Sentraal
• C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje
• Brebner High School
• Tsoseletso High School
• Kaelang Secondary School
• Heatherdale Secondary School
• Atlehang Senior Secondary School
• Hoërskool Dr Viljoen
• St Joseph's CBC
• Sehunelo High School
• Ikaelelo Senior Secondary School
• Lereko High School
• Moemedi Senior Secondary School
• Vulamasango High School
• Hodisa Technical High School
• Comm Tech High School
• Kagisho Senior Secondary School
• Dr Blok High School
• Bloemfontein South High School
• Lekhulong Secondary School
• Navalsig High School

Shopping

• Lochlogan Waterfront Mall.
• Mimosa Mall
• Middestad Centre
• Northridge Mall
• Fleurdal Mall
• Lemo Mall
• Twin City Mall
• Bloem Plaza
• Central Park Mall and bus terminal
• Brandwag Centre
• Southern Life Plaza
• Sanlam Plaza
• Nethan's Mall
• Dan Pienaar Mall
• Westdene Centre
• Bloemgate Centre
• Pretty Gardens Lifestyle Centre
• Kenworth Centre
• Noordstad Centre
• College Square Centre
• Victorian Square Centre
• Preller Plein
• Showgates centre
• Botshabelo mall

Entertainment

• Windmill Casino and Entertainment World
• Southern Sun Casino
• Andre Huguenot theatre
• Sand du Plessis Theatre

Queen of Roses also happens during this event. The competition recognizes citizens of the City of Bloemfontein for contributions that go beyond their normal duties to enrich the Mangaung Metro. Nominees need to be citizens =Bloemfontein

Tertiary education

Public tertiary institutions

The largest tertiary institutions in Bloemfontein are the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology.

There is a Further Education and Training College called Motheo FET College which comprises three main campuses(Thaba N'chu, Hillside view and Bloemfontein) and the satellite campuses in Zastron, Philippolis and Botshabelo.

Private tertiary institutions

Some major national private educational brands maintain a presence in Bloemfontein, namely:

• Boston City Campus focuses on video based, self study. There are a variety of academic divisions.
• CTI/MGI forming part of the international group Pearson, offering degrees in IT, Commerce, Creative Arts and Communication, Law and Social Sciences, Psychology and Counselling
• CTU Training Solutions focuses on IT and multi-media.
• Damelin focuses on budget education offered for full-time, part-time and via correspondence. There are a variety of academic divisions.
• Qualitas Career Academy, caters for full-time and part-time studies for students as well as corporate training and consulting services for businesses and government departments. There are a variety of academic divisions.
• ATTI (Advanced Technology Training Institute) offers short short courses and skills programs with a strong focus on IT subjects and also provides training for corporate clients in various IT programs.

Buildings in the CBD also host smaller upstart colleges, which come and go. Such colleges catch the overflow from public institutions and late enrolments, or learners whose high school achievement may fall short of various entry requirements. This list may vary from year to year:

• ATTI
• Jeppe College
• Rostec College
• Hatfield
• iZululethu
• St Ignatious
• intec college
• Boston college

Media

• Dumelang Media

Newspapers

• Dumelang News - The People's Paper
• Free State Times
• Volksblad
• Ons Stad
• Bloemnuus
• The Weekly
• Courant

Radio

• OFM
• Kovsie FM
• Lesedi FM
• Motheo FM
• Radio Rosestad
• Motsweding FM
• CUT FM

Transport

Road

Bloemfontein's national and regional roads are as follows: The N1, a major highway running roughly SE to NW from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Zimbabwe largely bypasses this city to the west. The N8 runs east/west connecting Bloemfontein to Kimberley and Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. Bloemfontein is also the northern end of the N6 road heading roughly southwards to the port of East London. At a T-junction just before the city, the N6 becomes the M30, and the intersecting road is designated the N6. This road ends in an interchange with the N1.

There are also two two-digit R routes: the R64, which is the old road to Kimberley, via Dealesville and Boshof. It ends at the N1. The R30 ends at the N1 north of the town. It is the road to Welkom.

Three other three-digit R routes have their origin in Bloemfontein. The R706 takes origin from the N8 in the city centre, and heads south-east towards Jagersfontein and Fauresmith. The R702 also originates from the N8 in the city centre, but heads south-west towards the towns of Dewetsdorp and Wepener. The third road, the R700, starts south of the city centre from the M30 and heads north crossing the N8 and N1 towards Bultfontein

Below that level, Bloemfontein has a number of metropolitan or M roads. These roads are numbered independently of m roads in other South African cities.

Rail

Bloemfontein is well connected with rail.It is located on the most important rail junction between Johannesburg and Cape Town, with daily trains to Port Elizabeth, East London and Johannesburg.

Air

Bloemfontein has two airports New Tempe Aerodrome and Bram Fischer International Airport. New Tempe Aerodrome has no scheduled flights, it is used as a training facility for aviators and schools. Bram Fischer International Airport has scheduled flights to all South Africa's major cities.

Public transport

Last year in October the Mangaung Metropolitan and various taxi associations reached an agreement on the Integrated Public Transport system which is currently under construction. The project consist of two phases, the first phase will see the construction of bus ways along the Metropolitan. The second will be the building of depot and stations.

Famous people

Many famous people are associated with Bloemfontein; these include:

Rugby players

• François Steyn, rugby player
• Juan Smith, rugby player
• Os du Randt, rugby player
• Chris Dry, South Africa national rugby sevens team player
• Naka Drotske, rugby player
• Brendan Venter, rugby player
• Heinrich Fuls, rugby player
• Andre Joubert, rugby player
• Andre Venter, rugby player
• Ruben Kruger, rugby player
• Ollie Le Roux, rugby player
• Coenie Oosthuizen, rugby player
• Jannie de Beer, rugby player

Cricket players

• Allan Donald, South African cricketer
• Hansie Cronje, controversial South African cricket captain
• Morne van Wyk, played for South Africa Proteas Cricket team
• Kepler Wessels, test cricketer with Australia and South Africa

Soccer players

• Willem Jackson, played for South Africa Bafana Bafana soccer team
• Vuyo Mere, platinum stars
• Thabo Nthethe, Mamelodi Sundowns
• Kgotso Moleko, Kaizer Chiefs F.C

Musicians

• Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian and musician, born and schooled in Bloemfontein
• Shaun Morgan and Dale Stewart, musicians and founding members of the band Seether
• Coenie de Villiers, Afrikaans musician and songwriter
• Brendan Peyper, Afrikaans musician and songwriter

Actors / Directors

• Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian and musician, born and schooled in Bloemfontein
• Tony Kgoroge, South African actor, performances in movies including Hotel Rwanda, Blood Diamond, Invictus, Lord of War and Skin.

Other

• J. R. R. Tolkien CBE was born in Bloemfontein on 3 January 1892. Tolkien 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.
• Ryk Neethling, Olympic gold medalist swimmer
• Zola Budd, international long distance athlete, born in the city and attended Sentraal High School
• Gerrit Badenhorst, a powerlifter and strongman competitor.
• Frans Claerhout, artist.
• Gert Coetzer, rugby league footballer of the 1960s
• Beric John Croome, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa
• Winkie Direko, first African chancellor of the University of the Free State
• Dr John Vernon Harrison FRSE geologist, was born here

Religion

Bloemfontein has a large and diverse Christian population. The city houses several churches and denominations:

• It is the seat of the Anglican Diocese of the Free State
• Afrikaans Baptist Church (Afrikaans: Afrikaanse Baptiste Kerk)
• Dutch Reformed Church (Afrikaans: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk)
• Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bloemfontein is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bloemfontein
• Seventh-day Adventist Church, Southern African headquarters.
• Christian Revival Church, is the largest church in Bloemfontein with over 30,000 members. CRC's net is widely cast and is established in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Johannesburg along with 90 national and international CRC Churches worldwide, executing the mission of "One Church, Many Locations" throughout South Africa, Europe, America & Australia. The church is led by Pastor At Boshoff, together with his wife Nyretta.
• New Covenant Ministries International had a church called Fountainhead led by Chris Gerber. It was a New Testament Church known by the name Fountainhead Church International. Later this church merged with Doxa Deo Bloemfontein, which is now the name of the combined church.

The city also has a large Jewish population, which was established during the mid-19th century.

There are two main cemeteries in Bloemfontein:

• The Old Cemetery: Over 1,000 names from the three cemeteries. Old: The oldest of the three cemeteries, dating from 1871, is simply a small fenced off area of a public cemetery near the city center. It includes a few graves of several Jewish pioneers involved in the early days of the city who died serving on either side in the Boer War, 1899–1902. Each of the thirty or so tombstones of these pioneer families has been completely transcribed.
• South Park: This cemetery was consecrated in 1978 and now includes more than 10 000 graves and is the biggest cemetery in the Free State.

On 7 October 2010, Several tombstones in the Jewish cemetery in Bloemfontein were defaced with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti. On 10 April 2012, Bloemfontein's historic Memorium cemetery was vandalized, with 35 tombstones toppled and obscene graffiti daubed on the walls of the adjoining Ohel. The graffiti included images of money bags and diamonds, as well as of a crudely drawn Magen David, allegedly as part of an anti-Semitic act. There is also the old Phahameng cemetery which dates back to the 1960s and was specifically reserved for Africans during the apartheid era and has a Heroes Acre, where freedom fighters are laid to rest. The Heide Heights cemetery in Heidedal was reserved for coloured people during the apartheid era but all races could bury their dead after 1994. This cemetery has been closed due to it being full.

Community service organizations

• Round Table 158 Bloemfontein The first Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927. The founder, Louis Marchesi, was a young member of Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young business men of the town could gather on a regular basis. At their meetings they could exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues and play a collective part in the civic life of Norwich. From a very early stage it was agreed that Round Table would be a non-religious, non-political club and this has continued to this day.
• Child Welfare Bloemfontein Child Welfare Bloemfontein & Childline Free State is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1914 by a group of volunteers who identified a need for welfare services among the community. In 2004, Child Welfare Bloemfontein celebrated its 90th birthday. Over the past 90 years, many community programmes have been successfully implemented.
• FreeMasons The Masonic Centre, Bloemfontein, was built during the 1970s when all the Masonic Lodges in Bloemfontein, sold their individual properties. The Centre was erected to facilitate all Masonic activities in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas. All four Constitutions that is active in South Africa, gather at the Centre. The Lodges that has ownership of the Centre is Lodge Unie (est. 1864); the Rising Star Lodge (est. 1865); Thistle Lodge (est.1903); Emerald Lodge (est. 1905); Lodge Dagbreek (est. 1932) & Lodge Oranje (est. 1964). Various side degrees are catered for at the Centre which includes the Mark, Ark, the Royal Arch & Rose Croix. Bloemfontein has a rich Masonic history especially in the Anglo Boer War (1899–1902), with members such as Lord Kitchener, Rudyard Kipling and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, visiting Lodges in Bloemfontein.

External links

• Bloemfontein The official Mangaung Local Municipality website
•  "Bloemfontein". Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). 1922.