Bethlehem, South Africa
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2023) |
Bethlehem | ||
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PO box 9700 | ||
Area code | 058 |
Bethlehem is a city in the eastern
It is a wheat growing area and named after the biblical Bethlehem, from Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם ("Beit Lechem"), meaning "house of bread".[2]
The city lies at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) and this contributes to its cool climate with frosty winters and mild summers. The average annual temperature is around 14 °C (57 °F).
Bethlehem is situated approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) north-east of Bloemfontein, 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Kroonstad and 90 kilometres (56 mi) north-west of Harrismith. The city is strategically situated in the heart of the picturesque north-eastern Free State and originally developed as a service centre. [3]
Bethlehem is the seat of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality (this municipality is situated within the boundaries of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in the Eastern Free State).
The township associated with Bethlehem is called Bohlokong in
History
This section needs to be updated.(May 2023) |
Town founders - Today we look at the founders of Bethlehem, in alphabetical order, Malan, Muller, and Naude. The founding of the church and town happened almost simultaneously. In the museum, the history and artifacts of the founders are displayed, including beautiful large framed photos of each one:
Daniel Jacobus Johannes Malan (1821-1892) Johannes Christoffel Muller (1822-1900) Francois Paulus Naude (1800-1881)
Their families were all Voortrekkers, who experienced the joys and sorrows of Natal, but they settled and established themselves in the Bethlehem area. This trio purchased the Pretoriuskloof farm from J.C. Pretorius and established a church and town on it. After approval from the Free State government, 44 plots were immediately sold in 1864.
The founders were farmers, and their farms are still in family possession. Malan farmed at the well-known Malanspos, on the road between Bethlehem and Lindley. A house and outbuildings were built, and he and his wife were buried on the Sterkfontein farm. Their third son was the well-known Senator D.J.J. Malan.
Muller's farm, Mullersrust, is located on the Blijdschap/Brighton/Kleingraansentrumpad, next to the Liebenbergsvleirivier. Here was his dwelling, and he built a mill in the river that was destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Boer War. He is buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Naude's farm, Middelvlei, is located along the Bethlehem/Clarens road, next to the As River. (As from n wa, English - axle, not Ash as it is written on road signs today. An axle from a wagon from the Retief Trek broke in the river.) His first silk house, built of suet, is well preserved by his descendants and can still be seen near the later dwelling. The family graves are also visible near the dwelling."
Society and culture
Museums, provincial heritage sites and memorials
A number of
- 14 President Burgers Street[5]
- A B Baartman Wagon House[6]
- Loch Athlone Dam Wall[7]
- Main Building of the Bethlehem Technical College[8]
- Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mother Church[9]
- Old Magistrates Court[10]
- Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church parsonage[11]
- Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church[12]
- St Andrews Presbyterian Church[13]
- St Augustine Anglican Church[14]
- Strapps Shop[15]
- The Seminary[16]
- Town Hall[17]
- Wooden Spoon Restaurant[18]
Schools
- Villiers Combined High School
- Tiisetsang High School
- Ntsu Secondary School
- Thabo-Thokoza Secondary School
- L.K Ntlabathi Secondary School
- Jordania Primary School
- Truida Kestell Primary School
- Graanveld Primary School
- Bethlehem Comprehensive School
- Bodikela intermediate School
- Bethlehem Voortrekker High School
- Bohlokong Primary School
- Nthute Primary School
- Motshepuwa Primary School
- Rehopotswe Primary School
- New Horizon College
- Impumelelo Primary School
- Impucuko Primary School
- Khanyeng Intermediate School
- Witteberg High School
- Bethlehem Combined School
Climate
Climate data for Bethlehem (1991-2020, extremes 1980-present) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 37.4 (99.3) |
33.4 (92.1) |
34.1 (93.4) |
31.2 (88.2) |
29.9 (85.8) |
25.5 (77.9) |
25.2 (77.4) |
28.7 (83.7) |
31.3 (88.3) |
33.8 (92.8) |
35.7 (96.3) |
36.4 (97.5) |
37.4 (99.3) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27.5 (81.5) |
27.0 (80.6) |
25.6 (78.1) |
22.8 (73.0) |
20.2 (68.4) |
17.6 (63.7) |
17.6 (63.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
24.3 (75.7) |
25.7 (78.3) |
26.4 (79.5) |
27.3 (81.1) |
23.5 (74.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.4 (66.9) |
19.0 (66.2) |
17.4 (63.3) |
14.1 (57.4) |
10.6 (51.1) |
7.4 (45.3) |
7.3 (45.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
14.1 (57.4) |
16.3 (61.3) |
17.5 (63.5) |
18.9 (66.0) |
14.4 (57.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.3 (55.9) |
13.0 (55.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
6.7 (44.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
0.7 (33.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
8.3 (46.9) |
10.3 (50.5) |
12.4 (54.3) |
6.6 (43.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
1.8 (35.2) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
−9.3 (15.3) |
−12.5 (9.5) |
−10.2 (13.6) |
−6.8 (19.8) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
0.2 (32.4) |
1.1 (34.0) |
−12.5 (9.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 122.1 (4.81) |
109.0 (4.29) |
79.0 (3.11) |
40.5 (1.59) |
16.5 (0.65) |
11.0 (0.43) |
11.1 (0.44) |
11.8 (0.46) |
17.3 (0.68) |
72.6 (2.86) |
90.1 (3.55) |
121.3 (4.78) |
702.2 (27.65) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 13.1 | 11.2 | 11.1 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 8.2 | 11.0 | 13.2 | 84.2 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
66.1 | 67.5 | 67.6 | 63.9 | 55.3 | 52.6 | 48.9 | 44.9 | 42.7 | 52.2 | 57.5 | 62.8 | 56.8 |
Source: NOAA[19] |
Shopping
Bethlehem has many shopping centres like any other town in the Free State. Bethlehem is the main center of the eastern Free State where people from other towns do their shopping, the main shopping malls are:
- Dihlabeng mall
- Sechaba Mall (Previously Metropolitan life Centre prior to November 2018)
With the shopping in this town also characterized by typical high street shopping with majority of shops situated along the Muller, Cambridge, Louw, Church, High and other surrounding streets.
Sport
Economy
Bethlehem is a retail, medical, and educational hub for the Eastern Free State. It has three private hospitals and four star Frontier hotel, Casino and Entertainment Centre located near the beautiful Dihlabeng Mall and Bethlehem Aerodrome.
Industry
Bethlehem hosts several industries including Coca-Cola, South African Breweries and Nestlé, as well as petroleum and engineering companies.
Health
- Dihlabeng Regional Hospital (public)
- Phekolong Hospital (Public)
- Hoogland Medi-Clinic (Private)
- Bethlehem Medical Centre (Semi-Private)
- Nurture Corona Hospital (Semi-private)
- Bethlehem Diere Hospital (Private)
- Du Pisani Biokineticists (Private)
- Several government clinics also in the townships of Bohlokong, Thorisong, Vuka, Phumlamqasha, Old Location, Giyani and Bakenpark.
Media
Newspapers
Radio
Transportation
Road
Bethlehem is located on the
Rail
Bethlehem is located on the main railway line between Bloemfontein and Durban. This railway line transports passengers and freight.
Air
Bethlehem is served by a small airport (Bethlehem Airport) with chartered daily flights to Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.
Coats of arms
Municipal (1)
By 1931, the municipal council had assumed a coat of arms.[20] The arms were registered with the Orange Free State Provincial Administration in October 1958.[21]
The arms were: Party per chevron Azure and Gules, a chevron Or, in chief between two springboks couped at the neck respecting each other, proper, a mullet of the third, and in base three maize cobs, the outer ones pilewise, all proper. In layman's terms, the shield depicted a golden chevron between a gold star and two springboks' head on a blue background, and three maize cobs on a red background.
Municipal (2)
A new coat of arms was designed in the 1980s. It was registered at the Bureau of Heraldry in June 1989.[22]
The arms were: Per chevron, Azure and Gules, a chevron Or between in chief a mullet and in base two bars wavy, Argent (i.e. a golden chevron between a silver star on a blue background and two wavy silver stripes on a red background).
The crest was three golden ears of wheat with blue stalks and leaves, tied together with a red band; the motto was Conjuncti prosperamus.
Notable people
- Faan Fourie (born 1982), cricketer
- Bongi Mbonambi (born 1991), South African professional rugby union player
- South Africa national football team.
- South African national football team.
References
- ^ a b c d Bethlehem from Census 2011.
- ^ Raper, RE. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Human Science Research Council.
- ^ "Dihlabeng Local Municipality Website - About Us". dihlabeng.gov.za. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ Rodney Moffet, Grasses of the Eastern Free State: Their descriptions and uses, UNIQWA, Phuthaditjhaba, 1997
- ^ "14 President Burgers Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "A B Baartman Wagon House Muller and Landdros Streets Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2012-11-28.
- ^ "Loch Athlone Dam Wall Pretoriuskloof Nature Reserve Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2012-11-28.
- ^ "Main Building Technical College Bethlehem Wessels Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mother Church Church Square Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Old Magistrates Court Louw Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church parsonage President Boshoff Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church Muller Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2012-11-29.
- ^ "St Andrews Presbyterian Church 144 Cambridge Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "St Augustine Anglican Church 34 Louw Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Strapps Shop 18 Church Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "The Seminary Wessels Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2012-11-28.
- ^ "Town Hall 20-22 Muller Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Wooden Spoon Braairestaurant 12 Church Street Bethlehem". South African Heritage Resources Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ The arms were depicted on a cigarette card issued in 1931.
- ^ Orange Free State Official Gazette 41 (10 October 1958).
- ^ http://www.national.archsrch.gov.za[permanent dead link]