All Roads lead to Bloemfontein
2008-07-19
Bloemfontein are a stop- over en route to other destinations in South-Africa and is the province rated to be the second highest degree of optimism in South Africa. Bloemfontein (Mangaung), meaning “Place of the Cheetahs”
About Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is situated in the Free State Province, in the central interior of South Africa. The Free State is bordered by Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces, as well as the neighboring country of Lesotho.
The city is situated on dry grassland at 29°06′S, 26°13′E, at an altitude of 1,395 meters above sea level. The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the Mangaung Local Municipality has a population of 645,455. Bloemfontein is served by Bloemfontein airport.
Summer in the Bloemfontein area stretches from October to February, and winter from May to August. The average summer temperature in Bloemfontein is 26 degrees Celsius, though temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius are not uncommon. The city is situated in a summer rainfall region with an average rainfall of between 600mm and 750mm per annum. The average winter temperature is 16 degrees Celsius with severe frost at times over the entire region. Snow occasionally falls on the mountain ranges in the eastern Free State and the rest of the province.
Property market
Bloemfontein's property market is marching to its own drum with price rises averaging well above the current 9% or 10% being achieved nationally and the prices are steadily raising. Bloemfontein’s property market is definitely changing and lower to mid-priced properties are extremely popular as well as new developments.
Suburbs
Bloemfontein suburbs include Bayswater, Brandwag, Ehrlichpark, Fauna, Fichardtpark, Fleurdal, Gardeniapark, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourierpark, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof and Willows to the south of the city. To the north of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhovenpark, Arboretum, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park and Waverley.
About the Local Economy
The Free State produces a Gross Geographic Product (GGP) of some R44.1 billion. Government is the largest contributor to the GGP at 15%. Economic activity of the province centers mainly on mining, agriculture and manufacturing, contributing respectively 22.6%, 11% and 14.5% to GGP. Tourism contributes 3%.
In the Free State, Gold production dominates the mining activities and produce almost one third of South Africa’s gold and approximately 80% of the total bentonite production. The Free State also has large deposits of coal. The mining industry is the biggest supplier of jobs in the Free State and approximately 22% of the Free State’s labour force.
Manufacturing is the second most important sector in terms of GGP with relatively widespread activities. The chemicals industry counts amongst the most important manufacturing activities, especially with the variety of chemical products produced by SASOL. Approximately 59% of the manufacturing industries can be categorised as high value added, low capital/labour ration industries. It is also interesting to note that 14% of the manufacturing concerns are classified as high technology industries – this is the highest percentage of high technology industries, compared to other provinces.
About 90% of the Free State is used for agricultural production with about 2 million ha under cultivation for crop production. An area of about 100 000 ha is under irrigation. The Free State is aptly referred to as the “bread basket” of South Africa, producing about 40% of the total maize production of South Africa, 50% of wheat, 80% of sorghum, 33% of potatoes, 18% of red meat, 30% of groundnuts and 15% of wool. A total of some 11 500 commercial farmers are farming on some 48 400 farming units in the Free State. The Free State Province Government has a structured policy for the development of emerging farmers in the province.
The Free State GGP per capita is standing at R5 871 per annum, with some 65% of people living in poverty and 34% unemployed. The incidence of HIV/AIDS is one of the highest in the country, with 27% of women attending antenatal clinics being HIV positive. Rates of TB are also high. The pass rate of senior certificate level was 50% in 2000, and the literacy rate is 85% - third highest in the country. The incidence of most crimes is decreasing, notably violent crimes such as rape and murder
About the Local Infrastructure
The province is well connected to the rest of the country by road and railways. The Bloemfontein Airport also provides frequent and regular flights to the major centra in South Africa. The major industrial areas like Bloemfontein, Welkom, Sasolburg and Harrismith offer modern commercial facilities including advanced telecommunication systems, a number of tertiary educational institutions and medical facilities.
The main N1 (Gauteng-Cape), N3 (Gauteng-Kwazulu Natal) and N5 (Bloemfontein-Maseru) routes pass through it, as well as main railway lines from East London and the Cape to Gauteng. It is the third best-off province in the country in terms of access to safe water (94%), sanitation (87%), electricity (68, 8%) and telephones (30, 8%).
Generally the road network is extensive and well signposted. Main routes are tarred but some of the smaller routes are connected by gravel roads. Surfaces are generally in good conditions but caution should be taken when driving on gravel roads. Filling stations for fuel (leaded/ unleaded/ diesel) are plentiful and fuel is available 24 hours a day. Various car rental companies operate throughout the city.
Bloemfontein Airport, situated 14km from the city centre, is linked to the other major airports in South Africa, while various other centres in the province do have smaller airports.
The telecommunication system is almost fully automatic and is linked to all other towns in SA and abroad. Public phones accommodate both phone cards and coins. Fax and Internet facilities are available everywhere.
Banking facilities are available in all our towns. Where there are no branches, there are ATM’S. Normal banking trading hours in is from 09h00 to 15h30 weekdays and 09h00 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Major credit cards are generally accepted. Facilities are well indicated by signs.