Editing Bloemfontein

{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Short description|Judicial capital of South Africa}}
{{other uses}}
{{Redirect2|Mangaung|Bloem|the surname and given name|Bloem (name)|the Municipality|Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Bloemfontein
| native_name        = {{Plainlist|
*''Mangaung'' ([[Sesotho language|Sesotho]])
*''ǀʼAuxa ǃXās'' ([[Khoemana|ǃOrakobab]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.strabon.io/site/Bloemfontein |title=Bloemfontein |website=strabon.io |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
}}
| other_name         = 
| nickname           = ''City of Roses''
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]] ([[Judiciary|judicial branch]])
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 280
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 1/2/3/3
 | image1=Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa (20349855518).jpg
 | caption1 = Skyline of Bloemfontein
 | image2=High Court, Bloemfontein, South Africa.JPG
 | caption2 = [[Supreme Court of Appeal (South Africa)|Supreme Court of Appeal]]
 | image7 = The Fourth historic Raadzaal in Bloemfontein.jpg
 | caption7 = [[Fourth Raadsaal]]
 | image5=Bloemfontein City Hall, Free State, South Africa (20544284651).jpg
 | caption5 = [[Bloemfontein City Hall]]
 | image8=NALN Old government building.jpg
 | caption8 = [[National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre]]
 | image6 = 9 2 302 0045-Women's Monument Bloemfontein-s.jpg
 | caption6 = [[National Women's Monument]] Obelisk
 | image9 = Bloemfontein-Eiffel Tower-001.JPG
 | caption9 = Replica of the [[Eiffel Tower]]
 | image10 = Main building FSU 2.jpg
 | caption10 = [[University of the Free State]]
 | image11 = Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa (20349763248).jpg
 | caption11 = Bloemfontein CBD}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_shield       = Bloemfontein Coat of Arms.jpg
| nicknames          = The City of Roses, Bloem
| pushpin_map        = South Africa Free State#South Africa#Africa
| coordinates        = {{coord|29|07|S|26|13|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|South Africa}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of South Africa|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Free State}}
| subdivision_type2  = District
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of municipalities of South Africa|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality|Mangaung]]
| subdivision_type4  = Main Place
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1846<ref name=established>{{cite thesis |last=Robson |first=Linda Gillian |title=The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact |date=2011 |type=PhD thesis |publisher=University of Pretoria |chapter=Annexure A |chapter-url=https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/26503/05back.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y#page=31 |url=https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/26503 |hdl=2263/26503 |pages=xlv–lii}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|Metropolitan municipality]]
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Vacant
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/499023 |title = Main Place Bloemfontein |work=Census 2011}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 236.17
| area_metro_km2     = 6283.99
| elevation_m        = 1395
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| population_total   = 256,185
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro   = 747,431
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name=census2011 />
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics1_title1 = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black]]
| demographics1_info1 = 56.1%
| demographics1_title4 = [[White South African|White]]
| demographics1_info4 = 29.8%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info2 = 12.8%
| demographics1_title3 = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]]
| demographics1_info3 = 0.8%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 0.5%
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics2_title1 = [[Afrikaans]]
| demographics2_info1 = 42.5%
| demographics2_title2 = [[Sotho language|Sotho]]
| demographics2_info2 = 33.4%
| demographics2_title3 = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info3 = 7.5%
| demographics2_title4 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
| demographics2_info4 = 7.1%
| demographics2_title5 = [[Tswana language|Tswana]]
| demographics2_info5 = 9.5%
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2012)
| blank_info_sec1    = {{Increase}} 0.860<br /><span style="color:#090;">very high</span>
| blank_name_sec2    = Water Hardness
| blank_info_sec2    = Level 3 (average)
<!-- Other information -->| timezone1          = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal code]] (street)
| postal_code        = 9300
| postal2_code_type  = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code       = 9301
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
| area_code          = 051
| website            = {{URL|http://mangaung.co.za/}}
| footnotes          = 
| official_name      = 
| motto              = "Floreat" ("Flourish")
}}

'''Bloemfontein''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|uː|m|f|ɒ|n|t|eɪ|n}} {{respell|BLOOM|fon|tayn}};<ref>'''[[Dictionary.com|Dictionary Reference]]''': [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Bloemfontein Bloemfontein]</ref><ref>'''[[TheFreeDictionary.com|The Free Dictionary]]''': [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bloemfontein Bloemfontein]</ref> {{IPA|af|ˈblumfɔntəin|lang}}), also known as '''Bloem''', is the capital and the largest city of the [[Free State (province)|Free State]] province in [[South Africa]]. It is often, and has been traditionally, referred to as the country's "judicial capital", alongside the [[legislative]] capital [[Cape Town]] and [[Administration (government)|administrative]] capital [[Pretoria]], although the highest court in South Africa, the [[Constitutional Court of South Africa|Constitutional Court]], has been in [[Johannesburg]]<ref name= "Marais Twala 2020 pp. 49–62">{{cite journal | last1=Marais | first1=Lochner | last2=Twala | first2=Chitja | title=Bloemfontein: the rise and fall of South Africa's judicial capital | journal=African Geographical Review | publisher=Informa UK Limited | volume=40 | issue=1 | date=2020-05-07 | issn=1937-6812 | doi=10.1080/19376812.2020.1760901 | pages=49–62| s2cid=218929562 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa at a glance |url=https://www.gov.za/about-sa/south-africa-glance |website=South African Government |access-date=18 June 2020|quote=Bloemfontein (judicial) The Constitutional Court is located in Johannesburg.}}</ref><ref name= ":0">{{Cite book|url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|title=Demographia World Urban Areas 13th Edition|last=Cox|first=Wendell|publisher=Demograhia|year=2017|pages=20–36}}</ref> since 1994.

Situated at an elevation of {{convert|1395|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, the city is home to 256,185 (as of 2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=Bloemfontein |url=https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=4286&id=7349 |publisher=Statistics South Africa |access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref> residents and forms part of the [[Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality]] which has a population of 747,431.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=mangaung-municipality|title=Statistics By Place: Mangaung|website=www.statssa.gov.za|publisher=Statistics South Africa|access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref> It was one of the host cities for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].

The city of Bloemfontein hosts the [[Supreme Court of Appeal (South Africa)|Supreme Court of Appeal]], the Franklin Game Reserve,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bloemfontein|title=Bloemfontein {{!}} national judicial capital, South Africa|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref> [[:af:Naval Hill|Naval Hill]], the [[Maselspoort|Maselspoort Resort]] and the [[Sand du Plessis Theatre]]. The city hosts numerous museums, including the [[National Women's Monument]], the [[Anglo-Boer War Museum]], the [[National Museum, Bloemfontein|National Museum]], and the [[Government House, Orange Free State|Oliewenhuis Art Museum]]. Bloemfontein also hosts the first digital planetarium in the southern hemisphere, the Naval Hill Planetarium, and [[Boyden Observatory]], an astronomical research observatory.

Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses" for its abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. The city is situated in the middle of the country; hence it is referred to as "Central South Africa".<ref>Bloemfontein: [http://www.bloemfontein.co.za/diduknw.php "Did you know?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308062541/http://www.bloemfontein.co.za/diduknw.php |date=8 March 2008 }}</ref><ref>Bloemfontein: [http://bloemfontein.startpage.co.za/ ''General Information''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208191416/http://bloemfontein.startpage.co.za/ |date=8 December 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 SA city nicknames, and why they're called that |url=https://www.news24.com/News24/10-SA-city-nicknames-and-why-theyre-called-that-20150622 |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=News24 |date=4 June 2015 |language=en-US}}</ref> The city's [[Sotho language|Sesotho]] name is ''Mangaung'', meaning "place of [[cheetah]]s".

==History==
===Early history===
Though historically a [[Khoekhoe|!Orana]] and [[Barolong]] settlement, and then a [[Afrikaner|Boer]] 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 !Orana (so-called "Korana" of the ǀHõaǁʼaes, ǀHũdiǁʼaes, Einiǁʼaes, and others), [[Cape Colony]] [[Trekboers]], [[Griqua people|Griqua]] (at that time known as "Baasters") and [[Barolong]].

Warden initially chose the site primarily because of its proximity to the main route to [[Winburg]], the spacious open country, and the absence of [[African horse sickness|horse sickness]]. Bloemfontein was the original farm of Johannes Nicolaas Brits, born on 21 February 1790, owner and first inhabitant of Bloemfontein. Johann – as he was known – sold the farm to Major Warden.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bloemfonteinguide.co.za/about-bloemfontein/history/|title=History of Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa|newspaper=Bloemfontein Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121041821/http://www.bloemfonteinguide.co.za/about-bloemfontein/history/|archive-date=21 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

With colonial policy shifts, the region changed into the [[Orange River Sovereignty]] (1848–1854) and eventually the [[Orange Free State]] Republic (1854–1902). From 1902 to 1910, it served as the capital of the [[Orange River Colony]] and since that time as the provincial capital of the [[Free State (province)|Free State]]. In 1910, it became the Judicial capital of the [[Union of South Africa]]. A possible etymology for the city's name is that it is called Bloemfontein {{lit}} "Bloem's fountain", after Jan Bloem II, a Griqua leader.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/prehistory-bloemfontein-area|title=Prehistory of the Bloemfontein area &#124; South African History Online|website=www.sahistory.org.za|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref>

===Orange Free State (1854–1902)===
[[File:Statue de Brand à Bloemfontein.jpg|left|thumb|233x233px|Early 20th century photo of a statue of the 19th century President [[Johannes Brand]] of the [[Orange Free State]]]]
The [[Orange Free State]] was an independent [[Boer Republics|Boer Republic]] in [[southern Africa]] during the second half of the 19th century. Extending between the [[Orange River|Orange]] and [[Vaal River|Vaal]] rivers, its borders were determined by the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] in 1848 when the region was proclaimed as the [[Orange River Sovereignty]], with a seat of a [[British Resident]] in Bloemfontein.

As the capital of the Orange Free State Republic, the growth and maturing of the republic resulted in the development of Bloemfontein. The city constructed numerous public buildings that remain in use today, facilitated by the republic's governance and compensation from the British for the loss of the diamond-rich [[Griqualand|Griqua Land]] area.<ref>David Johnson, "Griqua Land Claims in Southern Africa, 1874-1998", in David L. Eng and David Kazanjian, eds., "Loss: The Politics of Mourning" (Berkeley: Univ. of CA Press, 2003), 283–88. {{ISBN|0520232364}}</ref> 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 railway line provided a centrally located [[Bloemfontein railway station|railway station]] and proved critical to the British in occupying the city later.

The writer [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] was born in the city on 3 January 1892. However, his family left [[Orange Free State]] (now [[Free State (province)|Free State province]], South Africa) following the death of his father, [[Arthur Tolkien]], when Tolkien was three (1895).<ref>{{cite book |last=Carpenter |first=Humphrey |title=Tolkien: A Biography |title-link=J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=1977 |isbn=978-0-04-928037-3 |location=New York |author-link=Humphrey Carpenter}}</ref> He recorded that his earliest memories were of "a hot country".<ref>Tolkien: "though my earliest memories of are a hot country [...] I was shipped home [England] in 1895". Biographical sketch to Houghton Mifflin Co. (July 1955), in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien", ed. Humphrey Carpenter (London: Allen Unwin, 1981; London: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014), 165. {{ISBN|0544363795}}</ref>

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]], and its failure set the stage for war, which broke out on 11 October 1899.

On 13 March 1900, following the [[Battle of Paardeberg]], the British captured the city and built a [[Second Boer War concentration camps|concentration camp]] nearby to house [[Boers|Boer]] women and children. In 1913, the [[National Women's Monument]] was constructed on the outskirts of the city to commemorate all Boer civilians who died in concentration camps during the war.<ref>Grundlingh, Albert. "The National Women's Monument. The Making and Mutation of Meaning in Afrikaner Memory of the South African War." Cuthbertson, Gregor; Grundlingh, Albert M.; and Suttie, Mary-Lynn (Hrsg.). "Writing a Wider War. Rethinking Gender, Race, and Identity in the South African War, 1899–1902". Athens, Ohio:Ohio University Press. 2002. pp.&nbsp;18–36.</ref><ref>Marschall, Sabine. "Serving Male Agendas. Two National Women's Monuments in South Africa". Women's Studies 33 (2004). pp.&nbsp;1009–1033.</ref>

The hill in town was named Naval Hill after the [[Naval artillery|naval guns]] brought in by the British to fortify the position against attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angloboerwar.com/other-information/16-other-information/1844-blockhouses|title=Anglo Boer War - Blockhouses|first=David|last=Biggins|website=www.angloboerwar.com}}</ref>

=== Unionisation of South Africa (1910s) ===
On 31 May 1910, exactly eight years after the Boers signed the [[Treaty of Vereeniging|Peace Treaty of Vereeniging]] that ended the Anglo-Boer War between the [[British Empire]] and two [[Boer]] [[State (polity)|states]], the [[South African Republic]] (Republic of Transvaal) and the [[Orange Free State]], South Africa became a Union.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/union-south-africa-1910|title=The Union of South Africa 1910|last=tinashe|date=2011-11-08|work=South African History Online|access-date=2017-12-16}}</ref>

Due to disagreements over where the Union's capital should be, a compromise was reached that allowed Bloemfontein to host [[Supreme Court of Appeal (South Africa)|Appellate Division]] and become the Union's judicial capital.<ref>Section 109 of South Africa Act, 1909</ref> Bloemfontein was also given financial compensation.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/jstor-2212266|title=The South Africa Act, 1909|date=1 January 1910|publisher=The American Journal of International Law|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

On 8 January 1912, the [[African National Congress|South African Native National Congress]] (SANNC) was founded in Bloemfontein. The Union of South Africa had not granted rights to black South Africans, causing the organisation's creation. Its primary aim was to fight for the rights of black South Africans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/organisations/african-national-congress-anc|title=African National Congress (ANC)|last=sahoboss|date=2011-03-20|work=South African History Online|access-date=2017-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220091912/http://www.sahistory.org.za/organisations/african-national-congress-anc|archive-date=20 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the implementation of [[pass laws]], the city saw major demonstrations that forced South African authorities to exempt women from them for nearly four decades.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clark|first=Nancy L.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/883649263|title=South Africa : the rise and fall of apartheid|date=2016|others=William H. Worger|isbn=978-1-138-12444-8|edition=Third|location=Abingdon, Oxon|oclc=883649263}}</ref>

From 1 to 9 January 1914, [[J. B. M. Hertzog|James Barry Munnik Hertzog]] and his supporters met in Bloemfontein to form the [[National Party (South Africa)|National Party of the Orange Free State]], and to lay down its principles, following Hertzog's exit from the [[South African Party]] in 1913.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/national-party-np|title=National Party (NP)|last=sahoboss|date=2011-03-30|work=South African History Online|access-date=2017-12-16}}</ref> The National Party grew to govern South Africa in 1948 and implement the policy of [[racial segregation]] known as [[apartheid]].

===Apartheid era (1948–1994)===

When the National Party won the [[1948 South African general election|1948 South African national government elections]], they began implementing the policy known as [[apartheid]]. The policy was built on separate development of ethnic groups, and racial segregation was enforced. In Bloemfontein, residential segregation had begun in the 19th century with the passing of Ordinance 1 of 1860, which determined that no non-white, without written permission from the landlord (British government), had the right to occupy urban land in towns where local municipalities did not yet exist. On 3 June 1861, the council demarcated three locations in the following areas; the black population was to move to the area that lay to the right of a neighbourhood that was known as Kaffirfontein, Coloureds were to move to the [[Waaihoek]] Black residential area on the eastern outskirts of the town. The inhabitants of these settlements had to pay the so-called hut tax and grazing rights tax.<ref name= "bloemfotein1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/bloemfontein-segregated-city|publisher=SA History Online| title=Bloemfontein the Segregated city|date=2011-03-30}}</ref> This laid the foundation for the implementation of residential urban segregation as envisaged by the architects of apartheid.

When the [[South Africa]]n [[apartheid]] government passed the [[Group Areas Act]] of 1950, the Bloemfontein municipality put into effect changes in the racial set-up of the city. The municipality demolished the Cape Stands residential area, which was occupied by the city's [[Coloureds|coloured population]], and moved the residents to [[Heidedal]]. However, due to Coloureds living in such proximity to black people, [[Interracial marriage|intermarriages across racial lines]] occurred, resulting in a partially mixed population in [[Heidedal]] and [[Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality|Mangaung]]. In 1952, the Bloemfontein municipality began building new residential areas for the city's black population. New residential areas to separate ethnic groups such as [[Sotho people|Sotho]], [[Xhosa people|Xhosa]] and [[Tswana people|Tswana]] were formed. The residential areas were jointly known as Mangaung.<ref name= "bloemfotein1"/>  Phahameng, a [[Sotho people|Sotho]] township, was the first formal housing projects to be approved by the municipality in 1956. Physical buffers such as the railway line and roads were put into place to separate black ethnic groups, the white and coloured population. Eleven thousand housing structures, of which approximately 6,000 were government-built rental accommodations, were erected in Mangaung between 1952 and 1968.<ref name="bloemfotein2">{{cite web|url=https://www.uniassignment.com/essay-samples/cultural-studies/review-of-apartheid-in-bloemfontein-verno-cultural-studies-essay.php|publisher=Uni Assignment|title=Review of Apartheid in Bloemfontein Verno Cultural Studies Essay|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001150408/https://www.uniassignment.com/essay-samples/cultural-studies/review-of-apartheid-in-bloemfontein-verno-cultural-studies-essay.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1968, Mangaung faced severe housing shortages when as many as 3,000 to 6,000 housing units were needed. To counter this problem, a 55&nbsp;km eastward expansion called [[Botshabelo, Free State|Botshabelo]] was added in 1979. The Bloemfontein municipality channelled off all black urbanisation to [[Thaba 'Nchu]] and Botshabelo, which were developed as a source of cheap labour for the city of Bloemfontein. A subsidised bus service was established, and Botshabelo was declared a decentralisation point, meaning it was designated to become an industrial development point to reduce the distance between the place of employment and the place of residence.

In 1988, approximately 14,500 people were commuting daily between [[Botshabelo, Free State|Botshabelo]] and Bloemfontein. This meant that 55% of Botshabelo's workforce was employed outside the city.<ref name= "bloemfotein3">{{cite web|url=https://impulscentrum.be/south_africa/mod4_fringe/lesson11.asp|publisher=Impuls centrum|title=Apartheid and housing in Mangaung and Botshabelo|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206074617/https://impulscentrum.be/south_africa/mod4_fringe/lesson11.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1994, after the disestablishment of the apartheid government, Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu became part of [[Motheo District Municipality]]. The [[Motheo District Municipality]] was disestablished on 18 May 2011, and Mangaung was upgraded to become an autonomous metropolitan municipality with Bloemfontein as the main seat.

===Since 1994===
Until 1994, the city was South Africa's sole judicial capital. It remains the seat for the [[Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa|Supreme Court of Appeal]] (formerly the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court). The city is also an administrative centre 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 (South Africa)|Local Municipality]] in 2011.

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality elects a municipal council for five-year periods through a [[Mixed-member proportional representation|mixed-member proportional representation (MMP)]] system in which wards elect individual councillors alongside those named from party lists. Voters get two votes: one for a representative to become a ward councillor and the other for a political party. The latter vote distributes seats in the municipal council amongst parties, while the former distributes seats through the individual representatives.

==Geography and climate==
{{climate chart
|Bloemfontein
|15 |31 |83
|15 |30 |111
|12 |28 |72
|7  |24 |56
|2  |21 |17
|−2 |18 |12
|−2 |18 |8
|0 |21 |15
|5  |25 |24
|9  |27 |43
|11 |29 |58
|14 |31 |60
|float  = right
|clear  = right
|source = SAWS<ref name="saws-climstats"/>
}}
Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa on the southern edge of the [[Highveld]] at an elevation of {{Convert|1400|m|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#Cold semi-arid climates|cold semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] BSk), with hot summer days and cool, dry winters with frosty nights. Rainfall usually arrives in the summer months, often in the form of dramatic but short-lived afternoon/evening thunderstorms that serve as a temporary relief from the heat. The city tends to be dry and dusty in winter with freezing nights and mostly mild, sunny days. Frost is very common but snow is rare. Snowfall was reported in August 2006 with snowfalls occurring again at the airport on 26 July 2007. As recently as August 2020 and July 2021 very light snow fell across the city with heavier snowfall on 4 June 2024. In addition, the city's highland elevation allows for exceptional temperature diurnal of about 15–20°C (27–36°F)

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Bloemfontein, elevation {{convert|1353|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991−2020 normals)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 39.3
|Feb record high C = 38.9
|Mar record high C = 34.7
|Apr record high C = 33.3
|May record high C = 29.5
|Jun record high C = 24.5
|Jul record high C = 26.5
|Aug record high C = 28.6
|Sep record high C = 33.6
|Oct record high C = 34.8
|Nov record high C = 36.6
|Dec record high C = 37.7
|year record high C = 39.3
|Jan high C = 30.8
|Feb high C = 29.8
|Mar high C = 27.9
|Apr high C = 24.2
|May high C = 21.3
|Jun high C = 18.1
|Jul high C = 18.2
|Aug high C = 20.9
|Sep high C = 25.2
|Oct high C = 27.4
|Nov high C = 28.8
|Dec high C = 30.5
|year high C = 25.2
|Jan mean C = 22.9
|Feb mean C = 22.2
|Mar mean C = 20.0
|Apr mean C = 15.8
|May mean C = 11.8
|Jun mean C = 8.2
|Jul mean C = 7.9
|Aug mean C = 10.7
|Sep mean C = 14.9
|Oct mean C = 18.3
|Nov mean C = 20.1
|Dec mean C = 22.2
|year mean C = 16.2
|Jan low C = 15.1
|Feb low C = 14.6
|Mar low C = 12.1
|Apr low C = 7.3
|May low C = 2.2
|Jun low C = -1.7
|Jul low C = -2.3
|Aug low C = 0.4
|Sep low C = 4.7
|Oct low C = 9.1
|Nov low C = 11.4
|Dec low C = 13.8
|year low C = 7.2
|Jan record low C = 5.6
|Feb record low C = 4.3
|Mar record low C = 0.8
|Apr record low C = -2.6
|May record low C = -8.7
|Jun record low C = -9.1
|Jul record low C = -9.6
|Aug record low C = -9.7
|Sep record low C = -6.7
|Oct record low C = -2.9
|Nov record low C = -0.1
|Dec record low C = 3.3
|year record low C = -9.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 91.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 83.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 77.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 43.6
|May precipitation mm = 19.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 12.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 5.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 9.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 11.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 45.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 64.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 71.3
|year precipitation mm = 535.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 8.9
|Feb precipitation days = 7.8
|Mar precipitation days = 7.2
|Apr precipitation days = 5.2
|May precipitation days = 2.4
|Jun precipitation days = 1.4
|Jul precipitation days = 0.7
|Aug precipitation days = 1.3
|Sep precipitation days = 1.6
|Oct precipitation days = 4.6
|Nov precipitation days = 5.8
|Dec precipitation days = 7.5
|year precipitation days = 54.5
|Jan humidity = 55
|Feb humidity = 62
|Mar humidity = 64
|Apr humidity = 66
|May humidity = 62
|Jun humidity = 62
|Jul humidity = 57
|Aug humidity = 50
|Sep humidity = 46
|Oct humidity = 50
|Nov humidity = 52
|Dec humidity = 52
|year humidity = 57
|Jan sun = 287.1
|Feb sun = 247.1
|Mar sun = 257.4
|Apr sun = 244.6
|May sun = 257.3
|Jun sun = 239.9
|Jul sun = 265.9
|Aug sun = 282.3
|Sep sun = 273.7
|Oct sun = 286.1
|Nov sun = 289.7
|Dec sun = 291.6
|year sun = 3222.8
|source 1 = NOAA (humidity 1961–1990)<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web
| url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-I/UA/68442.TXT| title=Bloemfontein Climate Normals 1961−1990| publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration| access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web| url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/SouthAfrica/CSV/BloemfonteinWO_68442.csv| title=Climate Normals 1991-2020| website=[[NOAA]]| access-date=18 September 2018}}</ref> 
|source 2 =South African Weather Service (precipitation)<ref name="saws-climstats">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315025056/http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/BloemfonteinStats.jsp|archive-date=15 March 2012 |url=http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/BloemfonteinStats.jsp |title=Climate data for Bloemfontein|access-date=7 March 2010 |publisher=South African Weather Service}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}
===Suburbs===
[[File:Bloemfontein dust storm.JPG|thumb|A dust storm envelops Bloemfontein]][[File:Hamilton, Bloemfontein.JPG|thumb|View of the Hamilton industrial area in Bloemfontein]]
[[File:Bloemfontein-Eiffel Tower-001.JPG|thumb|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, Bloemfontein|Brandwag]], [[Ehrlich Park, Bloemfontein|Ehrlich Park]], [[Fauna, Bloemfontein|Fauna]], [[Fichardt Park]], [[Fleurdal]], [[Gardenia Park]], [[Generaal De Wet, Bloemfontein|Generaal De Wet]], [[Hospitaalpark]], Kiepersol, [[Lourier Park]], Park West, [[Pellissier, Bloemfontein|Pellissier]], [[Uitsig, Bloemfontein|Uitsig]], [[Universitas, Bloemfontein|Universitas]], [[Westdene, Bloemfontein|Westdene]], [[Wilgehof, Bloemfontein|Wilgehof]] and [[Willows, Bloemfontein|Willows]] to the south of the city. In the centre is [[Bloemfontein Central]]. To the west of Bloemfontein, you will find [[Langenhoven Park]]. To the north you will find [[Arboretum, Bloemfontein|Arboretum]], [[Baysvalley, Bloemfontein|Baysvalley]], [[Bayswater, Bloemfontein|Bayswater]], [[Dan Pienaar, Bloemfontein|Dan Pienaar]], Helicon Heights, [[Heuwelsig]], Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, [[Naval Hill]], [[Navalsig]], [[Noordhoek, Bloemfontein|Noordhoek]], Pentagon Park, Panorama Park, and [[Waverley, Bloemfontein|Waverley]]. To the northeast, you will find Roodewal and Vallombrosa. The predominantly black suburbs are Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda, Bochabela, JB Mafora, and the most historic Batho, where the Maphikela House (where the African National Congress started) is situated.

==Sports==

===Stadium===
[[File:Free State Stadium2.jpg|thumb|[[Free State Stadium]]]]
The [[Free State Stadium]] and the surrounding [[sports complex]] are the primary sports venues 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 venue]]s in the city, however, including facilities belonging to the university, schools and sports clubs. Other stadiums in the city are [[Mangaung Oval]], [[Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium]] and [[Clive Solomons Stadium]].

===Soccer===
Bloemfontein was joint home (together with nearby [[Botshabelo, Free State|Botshabelo]]) to [[South African Premiership]] team [[Bloemfontein Celtic]] before the team sold their franchise in 2021. 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 [[2010 FIFA World Cup#Round of 16|round of 16]]

===Rugby===
Bloemfontein's [[Free State Stadium]] is home to two [[rugby union]] teams; the [[Cheetahs (rugby union)|Cheetahs]], who as of 2023 compete as in invited side in the [[EPCR Challenge Cup]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/clubs/toyota-cheetahs/latest |title=Latest News, Toyota Cheetahs, EPCR Challenge Cup |date=2024-07-19 |work=ECPR Challenge Cup |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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 could not beat the Blue Bulls at [[Loftus Versfeld]]. In 2016, the Cheetahs won the Currie Cup after a perfect season, beating the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.

===Cricket===
The [[Knights (cricket team)|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cricket South Africa - VKB Knights|url=https://cricket.co.za/team/2895/VKB-Knights/1592/2019-20-4-Day-Domestic-Series/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=cricket.co.za}}</ref>

===Soaring===
The town has one of the most active [[Gliding|soaring]] communities in South Africa and the world, using the [[New Tempe Airport]], north of Bloemfontein. {{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

===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 {{convert|20|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the city, offering most forms of shooting, including various clay target, pistol, and rifle disciplines. Bloemfontein's shooting sports community has produced many provincial and national representatives.

==== Metallic Silhouette Shooting ====
Bloemfontein's Metallic Silhouette Shooting Range is one of the top [[Metallic silhouette shooting|metallic silhouette]] [[shooting range]]s in the world. Three [[International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union|IMSSU]] international championships have been held here :
[[File:BMSSK Range 2010.jpg|alt=BMSSK Shooting Range, 2010|thumb|BMSSK [[Metallic silhouette shooting|metallic silhouette]] [[shooting range]], 2010]]

* 2004 6th IMSSU World Championships<ref name="IMSSU - World Championship Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.imssu.org/results.aspx|title=IMSSU - World Championship Results|website=www.imssu.org|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>
* 2006 7th IMSSU World Championships<ref name="IMSSU - World Championship Results"/>
*2016 12th IMSSU World Championships<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imssu.org/ws2016.aspx|title=IMSSU World Championships 2016|website=www.imssu.org|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>

===Rock climbing===
Bloemfontein has two rock climbing clubs with a wall and boulder cave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sancf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=202:exciting-start-to-bloemfontein-wall&catid=43:fs&Itemid=18|title=Exciting start to Bloemfontein wall|website=www.sancf.org|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309103126/http://sancf.org/index.php?catid=43:fs&id=202:exciting-start-to-bloemfontein-wall&itemid=18&option=com_content&view=article|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Rose Festival==
Every year Bloemfontein, the 'City of Roses', celebrates the 'Bloemfontein Rose Festival', also known as the 'Mangaung Rose Festival', in October—the cool month in which roses in the Free State bloom best.<ref name= "showme.co.za">{{cite web|url=http://showme.co.za/events-entertainment/bloemfontein-rose-festival/|title=Bloemfontein Rose Festival|website=ShowMe - South Africa}}</ref> The majority of the events happen at the Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloemfontein-information.co.za/town/events/2051/mangaung-rose-festival|title=Mangaung Rose Festival - Events in Bloemfontein|website=www.bloemfontein-information.co.za}}</ref><ref name= "internext.co.za">{{cite web|url=http://www.internext.co.za/rosefestival/|title=Bloemfontein Rose Festival/Fees|website=www.internext.co.za}}</ref> The festival attracts rose enthusiasts from all over South Africa and the world to participate in and experience this grand showcase of roses and other local events and attractions.<ref name= "sa-venues.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sa-venues.com/events/freestate/bloemfontein-rose-festival/|title=Bloemfontein Rose Festival|website=www.sa-venues.com}}</ref> The festival has made Bloemfontein a popular tourist destination with thousands of people attending the festival annually.<ref name="sleeping-out.co.za">{{cite web|url=https://www.sleeping-out.co.za/events/bloemfontein-rose-festival|title=Bloemfontein Rose Festival 2016|website=Sleeping-OUT}}</ref>

===History of the Rose Festival===
The first rose festival occurred 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 needs and interests of the public.<ref name= "internext.co.za"/>

===Activities===
[[Horticulturalists]] are invited to participate in competitions to design and improve unkempt gardens around the city. 
Festival activities occur in private gardens all over Bloemfontein as city residents open their gardens to the general public.<ref name= "sleeping-out.co.za"/>

====Loch Logan Waterfront====
Most festival activities occur at the Loch Logan Waterfront, the largest shopping centre in central South Africa. It spans about 80 000 m<sup>2</sup> of space and is the hub of shopping, entertainment, sport, and culture in Bloemfontein.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloemdirectory.co.za/home/shopping-centres/loch-logan-waterfront/loch-logan-waterfront-centre|title=Loch Logan Waterfront Centre - Bloemfontein Directory|last=Ane|website=www.bloemdirectory.co.za}}</ref> The waterfront displays flowers created by local nurseries as well as the official municipal display created by the parks department, which the Mangaung Municipality organises.<ref name= "sa-venues.com"/><ref name= "sleeping-out.co.za"/> 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.<ref name= "showme.co.za"/>

====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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seda.org.za/Happening/LatestNews/PressReleases/Cazelles/Urth.aspx |title=Urth Garden Centre |access-date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529165248/http://www.seda.org.za/Happening/LatestNews/PressReleases/Cazelles/Urth.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The crowning of the King and Mangaung in the year of nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/first-king-queen-roses/|title=Are you the very first King or Queen of Roses? - Bloemfontein Courant|last=Maricelle|date=7 September 2016}}</ref>

====Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour====
The Mangaung Rose Classic Cycle Tour is a road race that takes place 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&nbsp;km, 56&nbsp;km, and 106&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bicycling.co.za/event/bizhub-rose-classic/ |title=Home |access-date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106070543/http://www.bicycling.co.za/event/bizhub-rose-classic/ |archive-date=6 November 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://afriadventures.co.za/event/mangaung-rose-classic/|title=Mangaung Rose Classic|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref>

====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 promote their businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Mangaung-RoseFestival-Lets-Green-BLOEM-Expo|title=Lets Green BLOEM Expo|website=www.wherevent.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Monster Family Fun Competition 1 March 2018 |url=http://www.bloemskou.co.za/events/1401/Go-Green-Expo/ |title=Go Green Expo – Bloemskou {{pipe}} 26 April – 05 May 2018 |publisher=Bloemskou.co.za |date=2018-03-01 |access-date=2018-06-07}}</ref>

==Education==
Bloemfontein houses many institutions of learning, from pre-schools to universities and colleges. Classes are taught in different languages from school to school, with some even teaching all their classes in two languages. The languages are predominantly [[Afrikaans]], English, and [[Sesotho]].

===Primary education===
* [[St. Andrew's School, Bloemfontein|St. Andrew's Primary School]]
* [[Grey College, Bloemfontein|Grey College Primary School]]
* [[Jim Fouché, Bloemfontein|Jim Fouché Primary School]]

===Secondary education===
* [[St. Andrew's School, Bloemfontein|St. Andrew's School]]
* [[Grey College, Bloemfontein|Grey College]]
* [[Eunice High School (Bloemfontein)|Eunice High School]]
* [[Bloemfontein High School]]
* [[Hoërskool Fichardtpark]]
* [[Hoërskool Jim Fouché]]
* [[Hoërskool Sand du Plessis]]
* [[St. Michael's School, Bloemfontein|St. Michael's School]]
* [[Hoërskool Sentraal]]

===Tertiary education===

===Public tertiary institutions===
*[[University of the Free State]]
*[[Central University of Technology]]
*Motheo TVET college

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 satellite campuses in Zastron, Philippolis, and Botshabelo.Motheo TVET College 

== Museums ==
Bloemfontein is home to a number of museums.

* [[Anglo-Boer War Museum]]
* [[National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre]]
* Oliewenhuis Art Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mentz |first=Lientjie |title=Oliewenhuis in Bloemfontein showcases its permanent collection |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/bloemnuus/oliewenhuis-in-bloemfontein-showcase-its-permanent-collection-20240122-2 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* South African Armour Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South African Armour Museum in Bloemfontein |url=https://www.whatsoninbloemfontein.com/south-african-armour-museum/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=What's On In Bloemfontein |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Sesotho Literature Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sesotho Literature Museum, Bloemfontein {{!}} Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation |url=https://www.sacr.fs.gov.za/?page_id=1446 |access-date=2025-03-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The private sector mainly drives Bloemfontein's economy. Bloemfontein's share of National GDP, employment, and population is the lowest among the benchmark group of South African and Southern African cities, falling just below the city of [[Port Elizabeth]]. The city's share of the National GDP is 1.73%, with a share of national employment at 1.86% and a share of the national population at 1.67%. Bloemfontein's GDP growth, at 0.57% in 2015, stood in the lower half of the benchmark group of cities. Like other major cities in South Africa, Bloemfontein's GDP growth has slowly decreased in recent years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City Competitiveness and Economic Growth Mangaung, South Africa|date=23 November 2020 |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a8c51b7190db462185aa4b46d8944997|access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Major companies ===
The city is home to two of South Africa's top construction and infrastructure companies. Raubex Group Ltd, established in 1974 and listed on the [[JSE Limited]] since March 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raubex is one of South Africa's leading infrastructure development and construction materials supply groups|url=https://raubex.com/|access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref> and Ruwacon (Pty Ltd), established in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|title=As a leading construction company...|url=https://www.ruwacon.co.za|access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref>

Other major companies included the retail department store, Kloppers, established in 1967<ref>{{Cite web|title=expert Kloppers|url=https://kloppers.co.za/|access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref> and EconoFoods (Pty Ltd) established in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Everything nice at wholesale price|url=https://econofoods.co.za/|access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Hospitals and clinics ===
{{see also|List of hospitals in South Africa#Free State}}

=== Entertainment ===
* [[Sand du Plessis Theatre]]

Queen of Roses also happens during this event.{{clarify|date=March 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mangaungrosefestival.co.za/programs/hightea/|title=HighTea &#124; Mangaung Rose Festival|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref> The competition recognizes citizens of the City of Bloemfontein for contributions that go beyond their regular duties to enrich the Mangaung Metro. Nominees need to be citizens.

==Media==
* [[Dumelang Media]]

=== Newspapers ===
{{Div col}}
* ''[[Dumelang News - The People's Paper]]''
* ''[[Free State Times]]''
* ''[[Volksblad]]''
* ''[[Ons Stad]]'' Closed down
* ''[[Bloemnuus]]''
* ''[[The Weekly (Bloemfontein)|The Weekly]]''
* ''[[Courant (Bloemfontein)|Courant]]''
{{div col end}}

===Radio===
{{Div col}}
* [[OFM (South Africa)|OFM]]
* [[Kovsie FM]]
* [[Lesedi FM]]
* [[Motheo FM]]
* [[Radio Rosestad 100.6 FM]]
* [[Motsweding FM]]
* [[CUT FM]]
* [[Med FM]]
{{div col end}}

==Transport==

===Road===

Bloemfontein's national and regional roads are as follows: The [[N1 road (South Africa)|N1]], a major highway running roughly SW to NE from [[Cape Town]] to [[Johannesburg]] and [[Zimbabwe]] largely bypasses this city to the west. The [[N8 road (South Africa)|N8]] runs east/west connecting Bloemfontein to [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] and [[Maseru]], the capital of [[Lesotho]]. Bloemfontein is also the northern end of the [[N6 road (South Africa)|N6 road]] heading roughly southwards to the port of [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]].

There are also two two-digit R routes: the [[R64 road (South Africa)|R64]], which is the old road to Kimberley, via [[Dealesville]] and [[Boshof]]. It ends at the N1. The [[R30 road (South Africa)|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 road (South Africa)|R706]] takes origin from the N8 in the city centre, and heads south-west towards [[Jagersfontein]] and [[Fauresmith]]. The [[R702 road (South Africa)|R702]] also originates from the N8 in the city centre, but heads south-east towards the towns of [[Dewetsdorp]] and [[Wepener]]. The third road, the [[R700 road (South Africa)|R700]], starts in the city centre from the N8 and heads north, crossing the N1 towards [[Bultfontein]].

Below that level, Bloemfontein has several metropolitan or [[Metropolitan routes in Bloemfontein|M roads]]. These roads are numbered independently of M-roads in other South African cities.

===Rail===

Bloemfontein is well connected with [[Rail transport in South Africa|rail]]. It is located on the most important [[Junction (rail)|rail junction]] between [[Johannesburg]] and [[Cape Town]], with daily trains to [[Port Elizabeth]], [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]] and [[Johannesburg]].

===Air===
Bloemfontein has two [[List of airports in South Africa|airports]]: [[New Tempe Aerodrome]] and [[Bram Fischer International Airport]]. [[New Tempe Aerodrome]] has no scheduled flights; it is a training facility for aviators and schools. [[Bram Fischer International Airport]] has scheduled flights to South Africa's major cities.

=== Public transport ===

In October 2016, the Mangaung Metropolitan and various taxi associations agreed on the Integrated Public Transport system, which is currently under construction. The project consists of two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of busways along the Metropolitan. The second will be the building of depots and stations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maricelle|date=2016-10-19|title=Mangaung makes history as metro and taxi associations partner|url=https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/mangaung-makes-history-metro-taxi-associations-partner/|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Bloemfontein Courant|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notable people==
Many famous people are associated with Bloemfontein; these include:

===Rugby players===

* [[François Steyn]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Juan Smith]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Os du Randt]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Chris Dry]], [[South Africa national rugby sevens team]] player
* [[Naka Drotské]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Brendan Venter]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Andre Joubert]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Andre Venter]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Ruben Kruger]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Ollie Le Roux]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Coenie Oosthuizen]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Jannie de Beer]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player
* [[Ox Nché]], [[rugby union|rugby]] player

===Cricket players===

* [[Allan Donald]], South African [[cricket]]er
* [[Hansie Cronje]], South African [[cricket]] captain
* [[Morne van Wyk]], played for South Africa Proteas Cricket team<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mornevanwyk.co.za |title=Morné van Wyk |access-date=2008-08-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211210718/http://www.mornevanwyk.co.za/ |archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref>
* [[Kepler Wessels]], test cricketer with Australia and South Africa

===Football players===

* [[Willem Jackson]] played for Bloemfontein Celtic and [[South Africa national football team]].
* [[Vuyo Mere]] plays for [[Moroka Swallows F.C.|Moroka Swallows]].
* [[Thabo Nthethe]] played for Bloemfontein Celtic, [[Mamelodi Sundowns]], [[Chippa United]] and South Africa national football team.
* [[Thembinkosi Lorch]] former [[Orlando Pirates]]  player, currently with [[Wydad AC]] .
* [[Kgotso Moleko]] plays for [[Kaizer Chiefs]].
* [[Neo Maema]] plays for [[Mamelodi Sundowns]].

===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 (film)|Blood Diamond]]'', ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'', ''[[Lord of War]]'' and ''[[Skin (2009 film)|Skin]]''

===Other===
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] was born in Bloemfontein on 3 January 1892. Tolkien is famous for creating the ''[[Legendarium]]'' fantasy epics, ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. At three years of age, Tolkien left South Africa for England.<ref>[[J. R. R. Tolkien#Childhood]]</ref>
* [[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.
* [[Karla Pretorius]], [[South Africa national netball team]] player, attended the [[University of the Free State]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive/campus-news/2019/may/three-kovsies-off-to-netball-world-cup |title=Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup
 |publisher=Ufs.ac.za |date=29 May 2019 |accessdate=2022-03-09}}</ref>
* [[Frans Claerhout]], artist
* [[Gert Coetzer]], rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s
* [[Beric John Croome]], Advocate of the [[High Court of South Africa]]
* [[Winkie Direko]], first black chancellor of the [[University of the Free State]]
* [[Lizzie van Zyl]], Child inmate of the Bloemfontein concentration camp during the [[Second Boer War]]
* Dr [[John Vernon Harrison]] [[FRSE]] geologist, was born here<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH25469&type=P|title=University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of John Vernon Harrison|website=www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=5 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005070729/http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH25469&type=P|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Flaxman Qoopane]], writer
*[[Billy Modise]]
*[[Elzabe Rockman]], former Free State MEC for Finance

==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, Bloemfontein|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crc.org.za/|title=Christian Revival Church - Win the lost at any cost!|last=alphawebdesign.co.za|website=www.crc.org.za}}</ref>
* [[New Covenant Ministries International]] had a church called Fountainhead led by Chris Gerber. It was a New Testament Church known as Fountainhead Church International. Later, this church merged with [[Doxa Deo Church|Doxa Deo Bloemfontein]], now the combined church's name.

The city also has a large Jewish population, established in the mid-19th century.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Sheila|last1=Aronstam|date=25 March 2001|editor-last=Issroff|editor-first=Dr Saul|title=A HISTORY OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ARCHIVES|url=http://www.jewishgen.org/safrica/communities/8/index.htm|publisher=Saul Issroff, Mike Getz, SAfrica SIG and Jewishgen Inc.|access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref>

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 tiny fenced-off area of a public cemetery near the city centre. It includes a few graves of several Jewish pioneers involved in the city's early days who died serving on either side in the Boer War, 1899–1902. Each of these pioneer families' thirty or so tombstones has been completely transcribed.
* South Park: This cemetery was consecrated in 1978 and now includes over 10,000 graves. It is the biggest cemetery in the Free State.<ref>{{cite web|title=BLOEMFONTEIN - Free State Prov|url=http://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/south-africa/bloemfontein.html|publisher=International Jewish Cemetery Project|access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref>

On 7 October 2010, Several tombstones in the [[Jewish cemetery]] in Bloemfontein were defaced with [[swastika]]s and antisemitic graffiti.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Africa – Jewish cemetery was desecrated|url=http://antisemitism.org.il/article/13935/south-africa-%E2%80%93-jewish-cemetery-was-desecrated|publisher=CFCA|access-date=19 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}}</ref>
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 [[Star of David|Magen David]], allegedly as part of an anti-Semitic act.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jewish cemetery vandalized|url=http://antisemitism.org.il/article/71463/jewish-cemetery-vandalized|publisher=CFCA|access-date=19 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}}</ref>
There is also the old Phahameng cemetery, which dates back to the 1960s and was explicitly reserved for Africans during the [[Apartheid|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 organisations==
* Round Table 158 Bloemfontein The first [[Round Table (club)|Round Table]] was formed in [[Norwich]], England in 1927. The founder, [[Louis Marchesi]], was a young member of the Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young business owners of the town could gather regularly. 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, which 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 lodge|Masonic Lodges]] in Bloemfontein, sold their individual properties. The centre was erected to facilitate all Masonic activities in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas. All four active Constitutions in South Africa gather at the centre. The lodges that own the centre are 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 [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Lord Kitchener]], [[Rudyard Kipling]] and [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]], visiting Lodges in Bloemfontein. {{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

==International relations==
===Sister cities===

* {{Flagicon|China}} [[Nanjing]], China
* {{Flagicon|India}} [[Bhubaneshwar]], India

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Bloemfontein}}
* [http://www.bloemfontein.co.za Bloemfontein] The official Mangaung Local Municipality website
* {{Cite EB1922|wstitle=Bloemfontein |short=x}}
* [https://impulscentrum.be/south_africa/mod4_fringe/lesson11.asp Apartheid and housing in Mangaung and Botshabelo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206074617/https://impulscentrum.be/south_africa/mod4_fringe/lesson11.asp |date=6 December 2017 }}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Bloemfontein
|North     = [[Kroonstad]]<br />[[Winburg]]
|Northwest = [[Bultfontein]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = {{div flex row|justify-content=space-evenly}}[[Botshabelo]] [[Maseru]]{{div flex row end}}
|Southeast = [[Dewetsdorp]]
|South     = [[Reddersburg]]<br />[[Trompsburg]]
|Southwest = [[Colesberg]]
|West      = [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]]
}}

{{Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality}}
{{Free State Province}}
{{Provincial capitals of South Africa}}
{{List of African capitals}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bloemfontein| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mangaung]]
[[Category:Cities in South Africa]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in South Africa]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]
[[Category:Populated places founded by Afrikaners|Bloemfontein]]
[[Category:Second Boer War concentration camps]]