Bethlehem is a city in the eastern Free State province of South Africa that is situated on the Liebenbergs river (also called Liebenbergs Vlei) along a fertile valley just north of the Rooiberg Mountains on the N5 road. It is the fastest growing city in the Free state province, with its target of being the third largest city after Bloemfontein and Welkom.
It is a wheat growing area and named after the biblical Bethlehem, from ("Beit Lechem"), meaning "house of bread".
The city lies at an altitude of and this contributes to its cool climate with frosty winters and mild summers. The average annual temperature is around .
Bethlehem is situated approximately north-east of Bloemfontein, east of Kroonstad and north-west of Harrismith. The city is strategically situated in the heart of the picturesque north-eastern Free State and originally developed as a service centre.
Bethlehem is the seat of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality (this municipality is situated within the boundaries of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in the Eastern Free State).
The township associated with Bethlehem is called Bohlokong, named after the hloko/bohloko grass Diheteropogon filifolius.
History
Town founders - Today we look at the founders of Bethlehem, in alphabetical order, Malan, Muller, and Naude. The founding of the church and town happened almost simultaneously. In the museum, the history and artifacts of the founders are displayed, including beautiful large framed photos of each one:
Daniel Jacobus Johannes Malan (1821-1892) Johannes Christoffel Muller (1822-1900) Francois Paulus Naude (1800-1881)
Their families were all Voortrekkers, who experienced the joys and sorrows of Natal, but they settled and established themselves in the Bethlehem area. This trio purchased the Pretoriuskloof farm from J.C. Pretorius and established a church and town on it. After approval from the Free State government, 44 plots were immediately sold in 1864.
The founders were farmers, and their farms are still in family possession. Malan farmed at the well-known Malanspos, on the road between Bethlehem and Lindley. A house and outbuildings were built, and he and his wife were buried on the Sterkfontein farm. Their third son was the well-known Senator D.J.J. Malan.
Muller's farm, Mullersrust, is located on the Blijdschap/Brighton/Kleingraansentrumpad, next to the Liebenbergsvleirivier. Here was his dwelling, and he built a mill in the river that was destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Boer War. He is buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Naude's farm, Middelvlei, is located along the Bethlehem/Clarens road, next to the As River. (As from n wa, English - axle, not Ash as it is written on road signs today. An axle from a wagon from the Retief Trek broke in the river.) His first silk house, built of suet, is well preserved by his descendants and can still be seen near the later dwelling. The family graves are also visible near the dwelling."
Society and culture
Museums, provincial heritage sites and memorials
A number of heritage sites are located in Bethlehem: 14 President Burgers Street A B Baartman Wagon House Loch Athlone Dam Wall Main Building of the Bethlehem Technical College Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mother Church Old Magistrates Court Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church parsonage Old Nederduitse Gereformeerde Mission Church St Andrews Presbyterian Church St Augustine Anglican Church Strapps Shop The Seminary Town Hall Wooden Spoon Restaurant