Botshabelo, Motheo Region
Botshabelo is a large township, a hangover from the apartheid era that lies close to Thaba Nchu, just east of Bloemfontein. People originally moved there in search of work, when they left their rural homes in the Free State to move closer to Thaba'Nchu (a homeland). Botshabelo was reserved exclusively, at the time, for the Tswana people (interestingly the largest group of people originally from Botswana to live in South Africa, whose language is Tswana).
Thaba Nachu, which was settled as early as the 1830s, was something of an enclave of Bophutatswana as a result of apartheid and today remains governed by His Majesty Chief Albert Moroka, responsible for civil matters and judge of the tribal court.
Botshabelo, which means 'place of refuge', is the largest township in the Free State and, after Soweto, the largest in the country. Botshabelo and Thaba'Nchu are known collectively as the Thabelo Area.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Marrakech Guest House
Discover the tranquility of Marrakech Guest House, a serene retreat set on an expansive 8-hectare property. We are dedicated to fulfilling the un...
Waverley Manor
Situated in the up market suburb of Dan Pienaar, Waverley Manor with its' four star rating, offers top class accommodation to the discerning corp...
Pebble Fountain
Pebble Fountain offers comfortable and secure accommodation in a good neighbourhood. We offer four spacious units, all with kitchenettes for semi...
President Hotel
President Hotel offers comfortable accommodation in Bloemfontein. The hotel boasts 145 rooms which are offered on a bed & breakfast basis and you...
Amity Guesthouse
Amity Guesthouse is ideally situated as a half way stopover between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Home from Home Guesthouse is only 7km from the ci...
Welverdiend Unit 1
Welverdiend Unit 1 is a welcoming self catering holiday home set in Bloemfontein, offering a quiet break surrounded by gentle farm life and unspo...
Bio Self Catering
Bio Self Catering offers affordable overnight accommodation in Bloemfontein. The town has an abundance of historical, cultural, and natural attra...
Baobab Tree Guest House
Baobab Tree Guest House is ideally and conveniently situated in the heart of Free State Province in the city of Mangaung in Lourierpark suburb. T...
Magalies B&B
Situated in the urban environment of Spitskop, Magalies B&B offers guests comfortably furnished accommodation in Bloemfontein. Magalies B&B is co...
Noteworthy attractions

Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Home to the Sundowns Football Club and the Blue Bulls rugby team, Loftus Versfeld received a welcomed revamp and renovation in preparation for th...

Soetdoring Dam Nature Reserve
Soetdoring Nature Reserve has two entrances. The eastern entrance is at the Modder River on the Bloemfontein / Bultfontein road (R700). Here visi...

Bloemfontein Golf Club
The Bloemfontein Golf Club is situated about 6 kilometres from the city centre just off Maselspoort Road - more commonly known as the Airport Roa...

Schoeman Park Golf Club
Schoeman Park Golf Club, as it is known today, had its origin in 1904 when a few Scottish members of the old Bloemfontein Railway Institute start...

Free State National Botanical Garden
On the north western fringes of Bloemfontein lie 70 hectares of botanical garden, in a valley peppered with dolerite koppies, tall grassland and ...

Bloemfontein Zoo
The Bloemfontein Zoo was established in 1906, and has continued to grow and develop since then to be one of the most popular animal sanctuaries i...

Franklin Nature Reserve
Named after Sir John Stuart Franklin, the mayor of Bloemfontein during the 1920s, Franklin Game Reserve lies right in the heart of Bloemfontein. ...

Sand du Plessis Theatre
Completed in 1985 at a cost of over R60 million, the Sand du Plessis complex is one of the most modern theatres in the world. The facade features...

National Museum Bloemfontein
Notable for its large collection of fossils, cultural historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull which was di...
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