Bloemfontein

Mangaung/Bloemfontein is located at an altitude of around 1400m and forms the heart of South Africa’s Free State Province. The city experiences contrasting weather patterns; its winters are dry and occur between the months of May and August. Its summers are hot (30° C during the day) and occur between the months of October and February. The people who live in Mangaung/Bloemfontein have a steep inclination towards the arts thus making Mangaung/Bloemfontein an extremely artistic city. The city is also home to some of South Africa’s most zealous football fans. Mangaung/Bloemfontein is the provincial capital of the Free State Province and is also the judicial capital of the Republic of South Africa.

The sixth largest city in South Africa, Mangaung/Bloemfontein was occupied by Chief Yoruka and the Barolong tribe in the early 1800s and also became home to Chief Moshoeshoe and the Basotho tribe. The area in around the city thus became a fort of sorts for the tribes who were seeking distance between themselves and the Zulu king, Shaka Zulu. A rich past, indeed!

The name Mangaung in SeSotho, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages stands for “A Place of Cheetahs”. The city was also named Bloemfontein (Dutch) after taking into consideration the myriad roses that grew around a fountain on a farm owned by Johannes Nicolaas Brit, a Dutch settler.

Mangaung/Bloemfontein is home to the Appeal Court, South Africa’s highest court. The city boasts of an inner game reserve and has a stupendous sandstone building which acts as the city hall. Apart from these iconic buildings the city is also speckled with architectural marvels, monuments and museums. The people who call the city home are warm, friendly and nonintrusive.

 

The game football was first introduced to the city in 1891, when it was known as 'Oranje Free Staat'. The city back then was an independent Boer republic. Since then, the game football has and still continues to establish itself as a much loved sport with both big and small clubs playing frequently at Mangaung/Bloemfontein.

As mentioned before, Mangaung/Bloemfontein ‘plays host’ or is home to some of South Africa’s most loyal football fans. You can safely declare that these fans will come out in full strength to support their country at the FIFA 2010 World Cup tournament. Their enthusiasm, infectious energy, wild singing and over-the-top celebrations can be directly linked to fanatical European football fans. Football is more than just a game here.