Brandfort

Brandfort
Brandfort

 Brandfort shown within Free State

Coordinates: 28°42′S 26°28′E / 28.700°S 26.467°E / -28.700; 26.467Coordinates: 28°42′S 26°28′E / 28.700°S 26.467°E / -28.700; 26.467
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

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