Viljoenskroon

Last updated
Viljoenskroon
Viljoenskroon.jpg
The Viljoenskroon town entrance as seen on the side of the R76 in Engelbrecht street.
South Africa Free State location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Viljoenskroon
South Africa adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Viljoenskroon
Coordinates: 27°13′S26°57′E / 27.217°S 26.950°E / -27.217; 26.950
Country South Africa
Province Free State
District Fezile Dabi
Municipality Moqhaka
Area
[1]
 • Total
12.7 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2011) [1]
 • Total
2,091
 • Density160/km2 (430/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 •  Black African 28.7%
 •  Coloured 0.8%
 •  Indian/Asian 0.7%
 •  White 67.9%
 • Other2.0%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 •  Afrikaans 66.7%
 •  English 6.1%
 •  Sotho 19.3%
 •  Xhosa 2.3%
 • Other5.6%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
9520
PO box
9520
Area code 05634
Website http://www.moqhaka.gov.za/

Viljoenskroon is a maize and cattle farming town located in the Free State province of South Africa. It was named after the original farm owner J. J. Viljoen and his horse Kroon (Crown). [2] The town was laid out in 1921 on the farm "Mahemskuil" and became a municipality in 1925. [3]

Contents

The Viljoenskroon municipality and neighboring township of Rammulotsi were incorporated into the greater Moqhaka Local Municipality in 1996 [4] and forms part of the Fezile Dabi District municipality.

The Viljoenskroon/Rammulotsi urban unit has an estimated population of 59 202. [5] Viljoenskroon historically played a part in providing residential opportunities to the adjacent mining communities at Lace Diamond Mine [6] and the Orkney gold mines.

Rammulotsi Tragedy

In 1990 5 learners were shot dead by armed police force, during massive protest against illiberals executed by apartheid system.

Meanwhile, two years later another war broke out when residents of Rammulotsi deposed the then mayor, Mr Nel for being stringent of awarding community stands for their housing

Notable People from Viljoenskroon

  1. Chomane Chomane - Former SABC'S Lesedi FM presenter)
  2. Olly Mlamleli (ANC Free State)
  3. Peter Mbongo (Music Band Mbongo and The Gospel Keynotes)
  4. Jimmy Khauleza (Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana Star)
  5. Dr Lavin Snail (Former PAC member)
  6. Motlatsi Mochochoko (Former Lesedi FM presenter)
  7. Katleho Seobi (Gospel Artist)
  8. Teboho Letshaba (Former Author and SABC Journalist)
  9. Thabo Meeko (Member of Free State Legislature)
  10. Mokete Duma (ANC Free State)

Schools

There are several schools in the Viljoenskroon area. Viljoenskroon's sporting grounds or park grounds' name is Rörich park, the grounds were named after Faan Rörich, who was the first lawyer in the town. After a couple of partners in the firm, Faan later on partnered up with Arnold Richter snr and opened up the law firm Rörich and Richter. In later stages of the firm and after the passing of Faan, the firm stood its grounds and was later on joined by mr Richters' eldest, Arnold Richter jr. Today the firm still consist of mr Arnold Richter jr and his youngest brother Jacques Richter jr and is operated under the name Richter & Hill attorneys. Both mr Arnold Richter snr and Arnold Richter jr served as mayors of the local municipality of Viljoenskroon during various stages.

Viljoenskroon

Rammulotsi

Radio Station

The town is home to an Afrikaans language radio station called Overvaal Stereo 96.1FM. [9]

Rammulotsi open-toilet saga

During the May 2011 local government elections, the Rammulotsi open-toilet saga was central to political debate in the Republic of South Africa. [10] The problems experienced with this specific government infrastructure project at Rammulotsi came to light a week before the local elections. [11] It involved 1 831 toilets built by the construction company owned by the husband of then Viljoenskroon mayor, Mantebu Mokgosi. [12] These toilets were not enclosed since construction started in 1995. Initially the ANC was unaware of the problems at Rammulotsi. According to Jackson Mthembu, the party had "evidence that Luthuli House didn't know there were open toilets in Moqhaka municipality. It wasn't brought to the attention of the ANC by anybody, not even Sicelo (Co-operative Governance minister),". [13]

The matter was later referred to as the Free State open-toilet saga by the media after the discovery of a similar problem in Tshiame near Harrismith [14] and national political figures such as Julius Malema, Helen Zille and Mangosuthu Buthelezi got involved in the debate. The issue was seen as of national importance by the ANC government which took the Democratic Alliance ruled City of Cape Town to court over the Cape Town open-toilet saga a few months before. [15] In September 2011 Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale said that the open toilet saga had given politicians leeway to play "political football" when acknowledging that the ruling party was responsible for the open toilets in Rammulotsi and Tshiame. [16] He later appointed ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to head a national sanitation team consisting of 11 members, including a medical doctor, representatives of the SA Local Government Association, the water affairs department, the SA Municipal Workers' Union and people living in informal settlements to identify irregularities and malpractice, the scale of the problems, nature of sanitation problems and geographic extent... [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnie Madikizela-Mandela</span> South African activist and politician (1936–2018)

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, also known as Winnie Mandela, was a South African anti-apartheid activist and the second wife of Nelson Mandela. She served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 2003, and from 2009 until her death, and was a deputy minister of arts and culture from 1994 to 1996. A member of the African National Congress (ANC) political party, she served on the ANC's National Executive Committee and headed its Women's League. Madikizela-Mandela was known to her supporters as the "Mother of the Nation".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senekal</span> Place in Free State, South Africa

Senekal is a town situated on the banks of the Sand River in the eastern part of the Free State province of South Africa. It was named after Commandant FP Senekal. It is the second largest town in Setsoto Municipality after Ficksburg, the seat of Setsoto. Senekal lies on the N5 national road between Winburg on the west and Bethlehem to the east. It has two townships, Matwabeng and OR Tambo Section, the latter being the latest, largest and fastest growing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FNB Stadium</span> Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa

First National Bank Stadium or simply FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City and The Calabash, is an association football (soccer) and Rugby union stadium located in Nasrec, bordering the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. The site is managed by Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) and is home of Kaizer Chiefs F.C. in the South African Premier Soccer League as well as the venue for key fixtures for the South Africa national football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen Zille</span> South African politician (born 1951)

Otta Helene Maree, known as Helen Zille, is a South African politician. She has served as the Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance since 20 October 2019. From 2009 until 2019, she was the Premier of the Western Cape province for two five-year terms, and a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. She served as Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance from 2007 to 2015 and as Mayor of Cape Town from 2006 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kgalema Motlanthe</span> President of South Africa from 2008 to 2009

Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe is a South African politician who served as the 3rd president of South Africa from 25 September 2008 to 9 May 2009, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. Thereafter, he was deputy president under Jacob Zuma from 9 May 2009 to 26 May 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Malema</span> South African politician (born 1981)

Julius Sello Malema is a South African politician. He is the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a populist far-left political party known for the red berets and military-style outfits worn by its members. Before the foundation of EFF, he served as a president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 2008 until his expulsion from the party in 2012.

Bizana is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fikile Mbalula</span> South African politician (born 1971)

Fikile April Mbalula is a South African politician and current Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) since December 2022. He was a cabinet minister between 2010 and 2023, most proximately as Minister of Transport from 2019 to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Motshekga</span> South African politician

Matsie Angelina "Angie" Motshekga is a South African politician and educator who is currently serving as the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans since 3 July 2024. She served as the acting president of the Republic of South Africa from the 17th August 2024, while President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community in Harare, Zimbabwe. Motshekga also served as the Minister of Basic Education from May 2009 to 2024. She was previously a Member of the Executive Council in the Gauteng provincial government. Motshekga is a member of the African National Congress. She is a former president of the party's women's league.

Cassel Mathale is a South African politician who was the third Premier of Limpopo between March 2009 and July 2013. He is currently the Deputy Minister of Police in the South African government and before that was Deputy Minister of Small Business Development from February 2018 to May 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinenjongo High School</span> Public high school in Joe Slovo Park, Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa

Sinenjongo High School is a high school in Joe Slovo Park, Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic Freedom Fighters</span> Far-left political party in South Africa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is a South African communist and black nationalist political party. It was founded by expelled former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema, and his allies, on 26 July 2013. Malema is president of the EFF, heading the Central Command Team, which serves as the central structure of the party. It is currently the fourth-largest party in the National Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patriotic Alliance</span> South African political party

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is a far-right political party in South Africa, formed in November 2013 by, among others, businessmen and convicted criminals Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene. Since 2024, it is a part of the current South African government of national unity together with the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance and other parties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pule Mabe</span> South African politician (born 1980)

Puleng Peter "Pule" Mabe is a South African politician who served as the national spokesperson of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's governing party, from 2018 to 2023. He formerly represented the ANC in the National Assembly from 2014 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VBS Mutual Bank</span> Defunct South African mutual bank

VBS Mutual Bank was a South African mutual bank. In 2018 it was declared insolvent and bankrupt and placed under curatorship, with South African citizens and taxpayers defrauded out of roughly R2 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political parties that contested the 2019 South African general election</span> Parties that contested the 2019 South African general election

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced on 20 March 2019 that a record number of 48 parties had registered candidates for the national parliamentary election. This is 19 more parties that contested the 2014 national elections. In the provincial legislature elections, the total number of parties registering candidates were:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 South African municipal elections</span> South African municipal elections which were held on 1 November 2021

The 2021 South African Municipal Elections were held on 1 November 2021, to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country's nine provinces. Being the 6th municipal election held in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. These held - since then -every five years. The previous municipal elections were held in 2016. On 21 April 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the elections to be held on Wednesday, 27 October 2021. It had been recommend by Dikgang Moseneke to delay the municipal elections until 2022. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) requested the Constitutional Court to support the date postponement. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supported the date postponement while the Democratic Alliance (DA) was against the postponement of the date. The Constitutional Court dismissed the application to postpone the date until 2022, ruling that they had to take place between 27 October and 1 November. On 9 September 2021, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced that the elections would be held on 1 November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing of Brendin Horner</span> October killing of a farm manager in Paul Roux, Free State

Brendin 'Choppie' Horner was a 21-year-old South African farm manager for the Bloukruin Estate at Paul Roux, Free State, who was killed by a suspected stock thief or thieves. His body was recovered at DeRots farm outside Paul Roux, and two suspects were taken into custody. Horner's death heightened tensions in South Africa's ongoing farm attacks situation, and the first appearances of the two suspects at Senekal's Magistrate's Court was accompanied by protest action by political and civil rights groups, as well as far right groups that alleged Horner's murder was an example of the White genocide conspiracy theory.

Namane Dickson Masemola is a South African politician who currently serves as Deputy Minister for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Government of National Unity (GNU) since June 2024. He has previously served as a Delegate to the National Council of Provinces since October 2022. Between 2009 and 2022, he was a Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Limpopo provincial government, representing the African National Congress (ANC), and held a variety of positions in the Limpopo Executive Council.

Mthandeni Eric Dlungwana, also spelled Dlungwane, is a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature between 2011 and 2019. He was formerly KwaZulu-Natal's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education from 2016 to 2019 under Premier Willies Mchunu.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Main Place Viljoenskroon from Census 2011.
  2. ↑ Town Website. April 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Routes Travel Info July 28, 2011
  4. ↑ Municipal Demarcation Board
  5. ↑ Moqhaka Municipality Website
  6. ↑ The Lace Project - Diamond Corp PLC Archived August 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Salomon Senekal Hoërskool Website
  8. ↑ IEC Voting Station ID:44227
  9. ↑ Overvaal Stereo Website. April 7, 2011.
  10. ↑ IOL - All it took was 16 years and an election. February 15, 2012.
  11. ↑ IOL - Heads must roll: Malema. February 15, 2012.
  12. ↑ IOL - Mayor's husband linked to toilet saga. February 15, 2012.
  13. ↑ IOL - ANC shifts blame for open loos. February 15, 2012.
  14. ↑ IOL - Let toilets 'die' of neglect – rather than people. February 15, 2012.
  15. ↑ Mail & Guardian - Court to rule in Cape Town open-toilet saga. February 15, 2012.
  16. ↑ IOL - 'Toilet saga used in political games'. February 15, 2012.
  17. ↑ Viljoenskroon Website - Toilet saga used in political games. February 15, 2012.

Evergreen Independent Primary School

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Viljoenskroon at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.