Thabong

Thabong
Thabong

 Thabong shown within Free State

Coordinates: 27°57′58″S 26°48′40″E / 27.966°S 26.811°E / -27.966; 26.811Coordinates: 27°57′58″S 26°48′40″E / 27.966°S 26.811°E / -27.966; 26.811
Country South Africa
Province Free State
District Lejweleputswa
Municipality Matjhabeng
Area[1]
 • Total 29.45 km2 (11.37 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 126,013
 • Density 4,300/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 99.3%
 • Coloured 0.3%
 • Indian/Asian 0.2%
 • White 0.1%
 • Other 0.1%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Sotho 71.7%
 • Xhosa 15.7%
 • Zulu 2.5%
 • English 2.3%
 • Other 7.8%
PO box 9870

Thabong (meaning 'place of happiness' in Southern Sotho) is a large black settlement in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State province of South Africa. The township was established In the years segregation for black people and the township of Bronville for coloured people near the City of Welkom, reason being to accommodate people who worked in the richest mines of goldfields.

The Township form part of Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality of the Free State in South Africa, that includes the city of Welkom. The Township is filled with diversity of people due to people who came from various counties like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, etc. to work in mines of Goldfields. The most spoken languages in Thabong is Sesotho followed by Xhosa. Thabong is the 3rd Largest Township in the Free State after Mangaung and Botshabelo

Demographics

Population dustribution

Today the Townships of Thabong and Bronville have a population of approximately 150,000 residents. Usually Thabong is referred to the combination of both Thabong and Bronville (Coloured Township) though Bronville is classified as an independent Township of Welkom.

Suburbs of Thabong

Thabong consists of 49 Suburbs of which can classified as follow

Number of middle-class black South Africans or Black Diamonds in the Township has risen dramatically with suburbs like Oppenheimer park, Jerusalem Park, Mshongoville, Soweto and Las Vegas.

Economy

The majority of the people work in the richest mines of the Goldfields since the Township was formed originally to accommodate people who worked in the mines.

shopping and Retail

People from Both Thabong and Bronville do their shopping in Welkom however the rate at which the Township of Thabong is growing a new shopping centre has been opened.

other shopping complex

Community Service Centres

Other Services

Attractions and places of interest

Thabong hosts numerous;

The most fashionable and lovely place of interest especially during December Holidays is Shopong Tsa Kgale meaning 'Old shops' That's where Thabong KIds figuratively or 'Black Diamonds' meet to enjoy themselves especially the ones who have moved out of Thabong to places like Johannesburg, Sandton, Randburg, Roodepoort and Pretoria etc.

Other prominent places include

Music

Kasi Rap which is a style of Hip-hop specific to South Africa is prominent in the Township

Sport

Sport Centre - A municipal sport centre offering rugby, soccer, netball, tennis, hockey, cricket, bowling, swimming and snooker facilities

Stadium Zuka Baloyi Stadium, a multi-sport facility, that is currently mostly used for soccer.

Hospitals and Medical care

Thabong hosts Bongani Regional Hospital and together with Bronville host various primary care clinics and some of these clinics have started to open 24 hours.

Bongani Regional Hospital

Bongani provides specialized secondary services and admits patients referred by Primary Health Care Institutions from surrounding towns and District Hospitals. Services include:

  • 24-hour casualty service
  • Level 2 adult and child care
  • Maternity
  • Paediatrics
  • Theatre
  • Neonatal ICU and ICU
  • Radiography
  • Medical and Surgical ward
  • Othopaedics
  • Septic ward
  • Burns unit
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Dispensary
  • Physiotherapy
  • Social Worker
  • Speech and Hearing therapy
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Psychology
  • Renal unit
  • Dental
  • Occupational Health
  • Tsoanelo (ARV Treatment)

Other facilities include:

Education

Primary schools

  • Iketsetseng
  • Tsakani Primary
  • Tseolopele Primary
  • Dirisanang Primary
  • Mojaho Primary
  • Seabo Primary
  • Bofihla Primary
  • Daluvuyo Primary
  • Lehakwe
  • Mokgwabong
  • Lemotso
  • Dr. Mgoma
  • Dirisanang
  • Moramaphofu
  • Embonisweni
  • Thabong school
  • Tswelopele
  • Setshabelo
  • Hlolohelo
  • Lenyora
  • Thembekile
  • Bronville primary
  • Mantshebo

Secondary schools

Tertiary level

Tosa F.E.T college situated near the suburb of Jerusalem Park is geared towards employment opportunities with Engineering been the main focus

Transformation of Hani Park

Informal settlements are being transformed into formal settlements especially the one of Hani park near the coloured township of Bronville and multiple Extensions have been formed from Hani park all the way to Straighting near the Bridge (Ext 15 to Ext 21)

Notable people

Famous choir

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Thabong". Census 2011.
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