| Brandfort | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Free State |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 9400 |
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 Crystal Palace F.C. midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was born in Brandfort. Brandfort was also home to former prime-minister H.F. Verwoerd, who matriculated there.