About Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein, founded in 1846, serves as capital of the Free State and as South Africa's judicial capital, home to the Supreme Court of Appeal. Known as the City of Roses for its rose gardens, it also carries deep political history: the African National Congress was founded nearby in Waaihoek in January 1912. Naval Hill, in the middle of the city, combines a game reserve, a giant Nelson Mandela statue and the Naval Hill Planetarium with views across the whole city. Rugby runs deep here too, with the Free State Cheetahs playing their home Currie Cup matches at Toyota Stadium in front of passionate local crowds, and the University of the Free State giving the city a large student population.

Bloemfontein's spring calendar swings from football to festivals, with 76 qualifying listings on the books. Old Grey Sports Club hosts the CUFA Finale this week, while families head to the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre for the ColourSplash Family Fest days later. Stargazers can catch 17 October 2026: Vast (Eng & Afr) at the Naval Hill Planetarium, and the Showground Retail Park turns up the energy for MEGA TURN-UP 0.4. The university precinct rounds out the month with the Ingoma Festival at Kovsie Kerk.