BULTFONTEIN

ADVENTURE & SPORT

Hunting

Several private farms, such as Driehoek, Excelsior, Hanover, Hartenbosand Holfontein, in the area that allow hunting during the season.

Water Sport

Balanseer Dam, on the Wesselsbron Road, offers water sport opportunities to locals and visitors alike.

FAUNA AND FLORA

Birdwatching

The many water features of Fontein Park entice a variety of aquatic birds to the park and the large Protea Salt Pan, 13 km from the town, is inhabited by a colony of flamingos.

Game viewing

The AC van Wyk Game Park, near town, is home to several different species of game.

FESTIVAL

The annual “Boertjie” Festival is a community project aimed at promoting agricultural tourism. New agricultural technology is showcased during the festival. It also offers an opportunity to stud farmers, horse and dog breeders to compete and participate in exhibitions. As all accommodation, including guesthouses, the hotel and school hostels, are fully booked during this period, the festival generates much needed income for the Bultfontein community and the Tswelopele local municipality. The next festival will take place from 30 August to 2 September 2012 in Bultfontein.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE

Grain Elevator

The largest grain elevator in the country is in the town.

Magistrate’s Court

The Magistrate’s Court, in Mark Street, survived many Anglo-Boer War attacks.

Police Station Cell

The old police cell in van der Poel Street was erected more than 100 years ago!

HOOPSTAD

ADVENTURE & SPORT

Air ventures

Hoopstad has its own airfield with four hangars. Flying lessons are offered and there is also a micro-light club.

Country Club

The Hoopstad Country Club offers several sporting facilities – tennis and squash courts, a bowling green and golf course.

Hunting

Bird- and game-hunting opportunities are available on several private farms in the district.

Water sport

Bloemhof Dam, on the Vaal River, about 40 kms north-west of Hoopstad offers excellent angling and water sport opportunities.

FAUNA AND FLORA

Groenvlei Farm Game Breeding

Various types of game, especially lions, are bred on the farm Groenvlei, 5 km from the town on the Hoopstad-Bloemhof Road.

Sandveld Nature Reserve

The 37 700 ha Sandveld Nature Reserve is next to the Bloemhof Road, about 30 km from Hoopstad. It is home to animals such as giraffe, wildebeest, tsessebe, white rhino, kudu and buffalo. The trees on the banks of the Bloemhof Dam provide the ideal breeding place for birds such as egrets, cormorants and ibises. Ducks, geese and flamingos are also frequent guests during certain times of the year. The reserve provides accommodation in the form of camping sites, some with power points, and holiday chalets with all the most modern conveniences.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE

Historic buildings

The historic sandstone Dutch Reformed Church, in the centre of town, was inaugurated in 1892 and is well worth a visit. The church was used as a hospital during the Anglo-Boer War and shots were fired from its bell tower. British soldiers carved their names on the walls of the tower. The old Post Office Building, built in 1904, still stands and today is used as a shop.

Japie Greyling Memorial

Japie Greyling was a young Boer boy born on a farm in the district, who, during the Anglo-Boer War, staunchly refused to betray the whereabouts of his father and elder brothers’ commando even when facing a British firing squad. He became a hero and household name after General Sealy, the British officer in charge, was so touched by his bravery that he spared his life. The story of Japie’s bravery was recorded in the officer’s book “Fear and be slain”, written and published in Britain after the war. Sealy was so impressed with Japie’s bravery that he wrote to him in 1932; 31 years after the incident, saying that he would not rest before returning to South Africa to shake the hand of the man who had been so brave as a boy. A bust of the boy is surrounded by a memorial honouring all the residents of the town who died during the Anglo-Boer War.