Mangaung / Bloemfontein

Mangaung / Bloemfontein is a place of openness with a warm and friendly vibe, with a combination of calmness and pulsating city life. It is also the trial capital of South Africa and the regional capital of the Free State Province. It also hosts the highest court in South Africa which finished in 1929. Built using sandstone the city hall was built by Sir Gordon Leith.

It is surrounded by 4 of South Africa’s 9 provinces and the country of Lesotho. Those wishing to discover the Free State Province then this is the ideal starting point. As it offers The Golden Gate National Park in the east and the Vredefort Dome with the oldest impact crater in the world, dating back over two thousand million years.

In the 1830s Chief Yoruka and the Barolong tribe set up in the area around Thaba Nuchu and in the late 1800s it also became home to Chief Moshoeshoe and the Basotho tribe. Tribes generally fleeing Shaka Zulu normally came to the area for safety.

Football has been played in Bloemfontein since 1891 with famous clubs from England, Germany, Netherlands and Scotland coming to play tour matches. Bloemfontein Celtic is the most famous team of the city with fans known for their passion and belief of the team.