Hoopstad

Place in Free State, South Africa

27°50′S 25°55′E / 27.833°S 25.917°E / -27.833; 25.917CountrySouth AfricaProvinceFree StateDistrictLejweleputswaMunicipalityTswelopeleEstablished1873^[1]Area

^[2]

• Total27.8 km² (10.7 sq mi)Population

(2011)^[2]

• Total1,295 • Density47/km² (120/sq mi)Racial makeup (2011)

^[2]

• Black African30% • Coloured1.9% • Indian/Asian1.2% • White66% • Other1.7%First languages (2011)

^[2]

• Sotho3.7% • English3.1% • Tswana1.6% • Afrikaans86.8% • Other4.8%Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)Postal code (street)

9479

PO box

9479

Area code053

The town of Hoopstad is situated at the intersection of the R34, R59 & R700 in the Free State Province. This area is considered to be the richest maize-producing district in South Africa. The town is located near the Bloemhof Dam which is situated on the Vaal River. The Sandveld Nature Reserve is positioned alongside the Bloemhof Dam. Hopetown and Hoopstad are two different towns and are often confused.

History and activities

The town of Hoopstad was initially founded in 1876 and named Hauptstad after Mr Haupt, a surveyor. The translation of Hauptstad into Afrikaans means Capital, which it clearly wasn't and the town was therefore renamed Hoopstad. The town, whose name means "Hope City" in Afrikaans, was established on the one side of the large farm Kameeldoorns, with another town Bultfontein on the other side.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hoopstad.

^ Robson, Linda Gillian (2011). "Annexure A" (PDF). The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact (PhD thesis). University of Pretoria. pp. xlv–lii. hdl:2263/26503.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Main Place Hoopstad from Census 2011.