Mangaung

The municipality of Mangaung

T HE municipality of Mangaung includes the judicial capital of Bloemfontein, as well as the towns of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu and a large rural area.

Situated in the heart of South Africa, the Free State province, Bloemfontein is home to a rich cultural lifestyle and is a recognised melting pot of creative ideas and expression.

While Bloemfontein's educational institutions have long received praise for their educational excellence, the ability the city has exhibited to successfully maintain a steady rate of growth and stability is an indication of the city's physical, social and economic infrastructure.

The city’s infrastructure is as modern as any of the major metropolitan cities in South Africa. The well-constructed road network connecting Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban has Bloemfontein at its hub. This network is complemented by well-maintained roads radiating from the Free State capital to other centres throughout the country. Bloemfontein links up all the important railway connections between the industrial north and the south.

FAST FACTS

>> Municipal website
>> Mangaung IDP

Population 2010:
0.791 million

Surface area covered:
6,238 km²

Personnel:
468 municipal staff per 100,000 population;
151 councillors.

Size of economy GDP 2010:
R41 billion

GDP 2010 per person:
R51,648

While community services contribute to over a third of Mangaung’s economy, other prominent sectors include finance, retail and trade, transport, and manufacturing. The remaining sectors such as agriculture and mining are very small and make a minor contribution to the local economy.

Bloemfontein offers adequate recreational and entertainment facilities which include public parks, swimming pools, sports fields, a game reserve and a zoo. In the middle of the city is a small nature reserve called Naval Hill, where you can go for walks and see small game. Also nearby is the orchid house - another tribute to that lovely name.

Bloemfontein was the capital of the independent Boer republic of the Orange Free State until the Union of South Africa was declared in 1910, when it was made the judicial capital of South Africa. It is still the site of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Primary development objectives of the municipality are: municipality with well-maintained and efficient infrastructure services; economic growth; improved housing that complies with national standards; a safe and secure place to live in, visit and do business; reduced impact of HIV/AIDS; high quality learning and literacy levels; and clean, well-kept natural open spaces, parks and well-maintained built environment.

Read more for an archive of news stories relating to Mangaung.