Phuthaditjhaba
| Phuthaditjhaba Witsieshoek | |
|---|---|
  Phuthaditjhaba Phuthaditjhaba shown within South Africa
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| Coordinates: 28°32′00″S 28°49′00″E / 28.53333°S 28.81667°ECoordinates: 28°32′00″S 28°49′00″E / 28.53333°S 28.81667°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Free State |
| District | Thabo Mofutsanyane |
| Municipality | Maluti a Phofung |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 23.83 km2 (9.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,646 m (5,400 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 54,661 |
| • Density | 2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 99.0% |
| • Coloured | 0.2% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.5% |
| • White | 0.1% |
| • Other | 0.2% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Sotho | 88.8% |
| • Zulu | 4.4% |
| • English | 2.0% |
| • Sign language | 1.5% |
| • Other | 3.3% |
| Postal code (street) | 9869 |
| PO box | 9866 |
| Area code | 058 |
Phuthaditjhaba (formerly Witsieshoek) is a town in the Free State province of South Africa. Phuthaditjhaba is a seSotho name that means meeting place of the tribes. It is located on the banks of the Elands River.[2]
History
The frequent snow on the Drakensberg mountain peaks surrounding the town led the San to call the region Qwa-Qwa (whiter than white). It was known as Witsieshoek to the European settlers, after Oetse, also Witsie and Wetsi, a Makholoko chief who lived there from 1839 to 1856.[3]
The area was then developed into the bantustan or homeland of QwaQwa with Phuthaditjhaba as its capital. Since the apartheid system was abolished in South Africa in 1994 Phuthaditjhaba has become a vibrant town in the Eastern Free State. It boasts a well functioning regional hospital called Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Phuthaditjhaba". Census 2011.
- ↑ Free State - Phuthaditjhaba
- ↑ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 478. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
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