Brandfort

Brandfort
Brandfort
Brandfort
Brandfort

 Brandfort shown within Free State

Coordinates: 28°42′5″S 26°27′32″E / 28.70139°S 26.45889°E / -28.70139; 26.45889Coordinates: 28°42′5″S 26°27′32″E / 28.70139°S 26.45889°E / -28.70139; 26.45889
Country South Africa
Province Free State
District Lejweleputswa
Municipality Masilonyana
Established 1875[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 29.9 km2 (11.5 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 12,899
 • Density 430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 87.1%
 • Coloured 1.2%
 • Indian/Asian 0.3%
 • White 11.2%
 • Other 0.2%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Sotho 55.3%
 • Xhosa 16.6%
 • Afrikaans 13.5%
 • Tswana 9.1%
 • Other 5.5%
Postal code (street) 9400
PO box 9400
Area code 051

Brandfort is a small town in the Free State province of South Africa. Jacobus van Zijl, a Voortrekker elder, established a church on his farm Keerom in 1866. The community was visited by Orange Free State president Brand and, shortly afterwards, the town was named in his honour. The British built a concentration camp here during the Boer War to house Boer women and children. For many years during Apartheid, Winnie Mandela, the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, was exiled there. Also Cardiff City F.C. midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was born in Brandfort. Brandfort was also home to former prime-minister H.F. Verwoerd, who matriculated there.

References

  1. ↑ "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sum of the Main Places Majemasweu and Brandfort from Census 2011.
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