Hoopstad

Hoopstad
Hoopstad Church
Hoopstad
 Hoopstad shown within Free State
Hoopstad
Hoopstad (South Africa)
Hoopstad
Hoopstad (Africa)
Coordinates: 27°50′S 25°55′E / 27.833°S 25.917°E / -27.833; 25.917Coordinates: 27°50′S 25°55′E / 27.833°S 25.917°E / -27.833; 25.917
Country South Africa
Province Free State
District Lejweleputswa
Municipality Tswelopele
Established 1873[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 30.2 km2 (11.7 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 16,033
 • Density 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 91.9%
 • Coloured 2.0%
 • Indian/Asian 0.4%
 • White 5.5%
 • Other 0.3%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Sotho 52.0%
 • Xhosa 18.5%
 • Tswana 14.6%
 • Afrikaans 7.1%
 • Other 7.8%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street) 9479
PO box 9479
Area code 053

The key town of Hoopstad is situated on the R700 Highway between Bloemfontein and the North West Province. This area is considered to be the richest maize-producing district in South Africa. The town is located near the Bloemhof Dam which is situated on the Vaal River. The Sandveld Nature Reserve is positioned alongside the Bloemhof Dam. Hopetown and Hoopstad are two different towns and often get confused.

History and activities

The town of Hoopstad was initially founded in 1876 and named Hauptstad after Mr Haupt, a surveyor. The translation of Hauptstad into Afrikaans means Capital, which it clearly wasn’t and the town was therefore renamed Hoopstad. The town, whose name means "Hope City" in Afrikaans, was established on the one side of the large farm Kameeldoorns, with another town Bultfontein on the other side.

References

  1. ↑ "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sum of the Main Places Hoopstad and Tikwana from Census 2011.
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