Heilbron
Heilbron is a small farming town in the Free State province of South Africa which services the cattle, dairy, sorghum, sunflower and maize industries. Raw stock beneficiation occurs in leisure foods, dairy products and stock feeds. It also serves as a dormitory town for the Gauteng metropolis.
Heilbron | |
|---|---|
Heilbron Heilbron | |
| Coordinates: 27°17′1″S 27°58′15″E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Free State |
| District | Fezile Dabi |
| Municipality | Ngwathe |
| Established | 1872 |
| • Councillor | (ANC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.7 km2 (6.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,540 m (5,050 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 27,407 |
| • Density | 1,500/km2 (4,000/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 88.2% |
| • Coloured | 5.5% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.3% |
| • White | 5.6% |
| • Other | 0.3% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Sotho | 74.9% |
| • Afrikaans | 12.2% |
| • Zulu | 7.2% |
| • Xhosa | 1.6% |
| • Other | 4.1% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 9650 |
| PO box | 9650 |
| Area code | +27 (0) 58 |
| Website | http://www.heilbron.info/ |
Game farming in the district grew to the extent that it is believed that game numbers reached an all-time high, evident in visiting tourist numbers. Due to its close proximity to Gauteng (60 km) the town became ever more popular to weekend tourists and city dwellers in need of a relaxing weekend filled with peace, quiet and fresh air. Popular activities are horse riding, off-road cycling, fishing, game drives, utilizing both motor vehicles and quad bikes, historical tours and affordable sporting facilities.
The neighboring township of Phiritona is home to former Orlando Pirates player Thandani Ntshumayelo, former Mamelodi Sundowns player Ramodiehi "Papi" Mbele and former Free State Stars player Tshiliso Mosikili.
The township boasts one of the oldest black-only High Schools in the Free State, Phiritona High School.
Heilbron is divided into three parts. Heilbron a historically white only area, Sandersville historically Colored only area, and Phiritona a historically black only area. This is symbolic of the settlement patterns that were enforced by the apartheid government.