Free State Map, South Africa

The Free State province is located in the heart of South Africa and is bordered by provinces like North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Independent country Lesotho. The capital is Bloemfontein also known as the nation's judicial capital. It is known for the vast rolling grassland rich agriculture and sandstone mountain and holds deep cultural and historical importance. The history of the area includes indigenous groups, European settlement, intense land struggle and remarkable social changes. The Free State was known for a long time as Orange Free State and in 1995 the province officially became known as Free State.

History

Long before the Europeans arrived the land now known as Free State was home to indigenous groups including the San and Khoikhoi people. In early 1800 waves of black African groups such as the Sotho led by king Moshoeshoe arrived and settled throughout the region. At the same time European farmers began moving in particular during the great trek, the huge migration of Dutch speaking colonists out of Cape colony making independence and new land.

As the Boers settled north of the orange river they built farms and towns but soon faced violent disputes with the local groups especially the Sotho people led by Moshoeshoe. The Basotho kingdom was centered at thaba bosiu and was well defined throughout these years. These conflicts resulted in a series of war cattle raids and shifting alliances. The arrival of other European groups, Dutch, German and French, further changed the region’s population and land pattern. In the 1820s and 1830s dramatic battles against powerful leaders swept across the Free State replacing many original residents.

By the late 1840s Britain decided to intervene aiming to control the area between orange rivers and Vaal. The territory was called the orange river sovereignty for a while with British Soldiers stationed in the region. However due to distant wars in Europe like the Crimean war Britain pulled its troops out in 1854 leaving the territory up for grabs.

Without better strokes the leaders met and developed a constitution. In 1854 they established an orange Free State Republic with its own parliament elected president and liberal rules for the citizens among the Europeans. The area became a fully independent Republic and began focusing on peace, internal organization and development. The orange Free State faced ongoing warfare with the basotho overland. Major battles occurred throughout the 1850 and 1860s. After a year of fighting Moshoeshoe and his people lost much territory to the orange Free State. The Treaty of aliwal north in 1869 set boundaries and land gained from basutoland became known as conquered territory. Basuto and Basotho kingdoms leftover territory later became the country of Lesotho.

Once peace was achieved the Orange Free State entered a period of relative prosperity encouraged by new leaders. The Republic invested in farming, built administrative centers and attracted people from other parts of South Africa. However tension with the neighboring states continued leading to dispute over river borders and land ownership often dissolved by outside arbitration. In the late 19th century gold was discovered to the West sparking a gold rush that transformed the region. Entire towns sprang up quickly and mining became a new source of wealth for the Free State. The booming gold industry attracted workers, entrepreneurs and investment which created both economic opportunities and social changes in the area.

By 1899 a new crisis erupted the Anglo Boer War between the British Empire and the Boer republics. The orange Free State joined with its neighbor the South African Republic to fight in the war. After brutal fighting blockades and sieges the war ended in 19/02 with the Treaty of Vereeniging. The British won and annexed both Boer republics creating the orange river colony out of the former orange Free State. The population suffered greatly from violence disruptions and war losses. After a few years of direct British rule self government was restored in 19/07. In 19110 the orange river colony became the orange Free State province within the newly formed union of South Africa. The province kept its name and boundaries through many changes including the transformation in 1961 when South Africa became a Republic and the end of white minority rule in the 1990s.

During the apartheid era Free state was known more for its conservative white communities and a strong ethical cultural economy. Segregation was enforced and opportunities were limited for black residents and other communities. However the Township areas and particularly Bloemfontein saw political activity and the African National Congress was founded in 1912 an important moment in South African political history.

Following the end of the apartheid and the country’s first democratic election in 1994 the province was renamed simply the Free State in 1995. It is now known for its rich cultural heritage, mixed population and important agricultural contribution and vibrant cities. The history of the Free State is remembered through its battle sites, memorials , museums and diverse communities. It is a symbol of both South Africa’s turbulent past and the continual effort to move forward together

Culture

The culture of the Free State is a beautiful blend of traditional African custom and European influences reflecting the province's diverse history. One of the oldest cultural groups in the region are San people famous for their ancient rock art that can be found on cliffs and caves throughout the Free State. These artwork depict animals and scenes from their daily life providing claims into life long ago. The dominant ethical cultural group in the Free State today is the Basotho or the South Sotho people. They settled in the area in the late 1700 and established the Kingdom known for its mud Hut colorful blanket and traditional music and dance. Visitors can experience Basotho culture first hand at places like the Basotho cultural village where traditional lifestyle and craft are preserved and shared. The Basotho have maintained their custom despite years of conflict and change making their culture a strong force in the province.

European influence arrived mainly through Dutch speaking settlers called the Boers in 1800 followed by British settlers first of these settlers arrived mainly through Dutch speaking settlers called the Boers in 1800 followed by British settlers first of these settlers brought their farming tradition, language and building style. Their legacy includes farm style food and a strong hospitality and culture remain alive.

The Free State also hosts several festivals celebrating its culture. The Philippolis Witblits Festival honors traditional home brewed spirits, the NAMPO agricultural show in Bothaville focuses on farming, and the Macufe festival in Bloemfontein celebrates African arts and culture. Cities mix historical European architecture with modern South African cultural institutions such as museum theatre and galleries. The blend of African and European tradition create a rich cultural tapestry seen in everyday life.

Language

The Free State province is home to several languages with sesotho being the most widely spoken. About 72% of the population uses sesotho as their first language. This reflects the strong presence of the Basotho people in the region. It is used in daily conversation school and in cultural ceremonies in the province.

Afrikaans is the second most common language spoken by about 10% of the people. It is the mother tongue of many white Africans and most colored communities in the area. The language is also used widely as a second or third language by others in the province. Xhosa and Setswana are also spoken by smaller groups by around 5 to 6% of the population speaking each.

English, though a first language for only about 1 to 2%, plays an important role in government business and education. Schools in the province are switching to English as a medium of communication and instructions. The region is unique in South Africa because it is the only province where Sesotho speakers form the majority. However languages in the province are mixed and many people are bilingual or multilingual using a mix of languages in everyday life.

Geography

Free State is located near the center of South Africa and is known for its wide flat grassland and open skies. The province covers about 1,29,000 square kilometers making it one of the larger provinces. Much of the land is made of rolling plains which are excellent for farming and cattle grazing for shelter weather in the western part of the Free State mostly consists of flat plains with many pans scattered areas first of the province is generally high around 1000 meters above sea level giving it a pleasant climate with warm summers and cold dry winters. To the east the land rises sharply into mountains called the Maluti Mountains connected to the Drakensberg Range. These mountains are the source of many rivers and provide beautiful scenery with cliff and valley South of the eastern highland also receives more rainfall than the dry plains in the West Coast of the orange river forms the southern border of real estate and is important for irrigation and farming for stuff several nature reserves like the Golden Gate Highlands National Park protect the unique landscape wildlife and the ancient San rock art found in the province.

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