Bothaville - Gold, mielies and witblits

The town of Bothaville is in the northern Free State, about two hours drive from either Johannesburg, Bloemfontein or Bethlehem. Surrounded by Leeudoringstad, Viljoenskroon, Klerksdorp, Welkom & Odendaalsrus, it forms part of the Free State goldfields. But gold is not the focus of Bothaville - agriculture is.

The town of Bothaville hosts one of the biggest agricultural festivals in the world - NAMPO - every May, & is also the head office of Grain South Africa. In 1995 it was declared the Mielie (Maize) Capital of South Africa.

With the dominance in maize & sunflowers, Bothaville was selected as the site for the first ethanol plant in the country - a wonderful boost to the economy of the town. Bothaville is also the host of the annual Food & Witblits Festival drawing visitors from all over South Africa.

Bothaville's humble beginning was as Botharnia in 1891, as a 'church town', with the name changing to the current name in 1893. It was laid out on the farm Gladdedrift, which was owned by Theunis Louis Botha - hence the name. It became a municipality in 1914.

The biggest focus at the town was livestock &, ironically, honey production. Today agriculture is still the focus, with dairy, wheat, maize, sunflower, nuts & vegetables joining the list of staples. If you really want to experience the legendary 'plattelandse' hospitality & peace, Bothaville is the place.

Bothaville – Center of the Free State Maize Route

Situated on the banks of the Vals River, the town of Bothaville is considered to be one of the richest agricultural communities in the country. This district plays a very important role in the Free State Province Maize Route as well as hosting the biggest agricultural show in Africa annually.

Angling, swimming and boating occurs on the Vals River and game auctions (among the most important in the country) are held regularly on the farm Syfergat. The oldest building in the Maize Capital is a small three-room sandstone building in President Street erected for the amount of £62 in 1894 by the first Town Council to serve as a police station and prison.

The second oldest building is the Dutch Reformed Vicarage - a beautiful sandstone building built in 1898. The same architect who designed the famous Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, Gerhard Moerdyk, designed the impressive Dutch Reformed Mother church, built with sandstone in 1918.

The Town Hall was declared a historical heritage building in 1995. Further items of interest also include: Middelbult Farm. Locally renowned for its roses, miniature vegetables and Arabian horses. Doornkraal Monument. A granite monument built in honor of Boers who died in a surprise attack by British Soldiers in November 1900.